Service beyond state lines

Jessica Steele

AMVETS, also known as American Veterans, is an organization that prides itself on serving and providing mutual assistance for both the Veteran community and the community at large within the United States. This organization consists of veterans who have served in the United States armed forces and are dedicated to a lifetime of service that extends beyond their past or present military duties.

On December 11, 2021, a devastating tornado swept through western Kentucky. Houses that were once homes for residents became unrecognizable rubble in a tragic overnight storm claiming 70 residents' lives and leaving more than 100 people unaccounted for days after the disaster. Many victims of the wreckage were left without basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter.

Ohio AMVETS members saw the deep need this community was in, and many local Ohio Posts began proposing relief efforts only days after the disaster. Post 102 Delaware Commander David Hyatt explains that it wasn't a question of whether his Post would help, just how.

“We had our Post meeting days after the disaster and I asked the membership how we could assist in this aid effort, that same day we decided to open our doors as a donation center to gather blankets, children’s clothing, non-perishable food, toiletries, infant needs, pet food, and many other essentials along with monetary donations. We passed around a hat that evening and collected around $200 within our membership”

Saturday, December 18th, AMVETS members headed down to Kentucky with a U-Haul packed with supplies such as food, toys, clothes, and necessities for the western Kentucky community.

“There were orphaned kids after the tornado went through. We want to make sure these kids have a Christmas still and of course get them what they need,” said AMVETS Ohio state commander Sara Pierce.

This aid is apart of a state-wide effort to serve the community of western Kentucky as they struggle to get back on their feet during the holiday season.

“A disaster like this is devastating to the western Kentucky community. Stepping up and providing relief and assistance is a core value of our organization, at the end of the day it is human nature for us to want to help in situations like this. We can empathize, how we would feel if we woke up and everything was gone, we see it is important for those effected by this disaster to know that people like them want to and are enthusiastic to help,” David Hyatt Post 102 Delaware Commander.