Kentucky Tornado Relief – It is time to help

Since the devastating tornados that hit Kentucky and Indiana just a couple of weeks ago we have been asking you to hold off until the immediate needs of the victims are met. We have said your time to help will be coming; well its time.

Now that the media has left, the first responders have stabilized the situation, the real work begins. Think of this as the second responders and neighbors helping neighbors.

The immediate need we have in Eastern Kentucky is the biggest resource we have, people. We need you and we need you to roll up your shelves and come out this weekend and help become the clean up. There are people literally picking up their lives and need a neighbor to stand beside them and help. There are farmers whose fields are scattered with debris and they need your help to clear it so they can continue their livelihood. This is your opportunity now to help, please consider being a part of it.

Young Professionals of Eastern Kentucky is hosting a volunteer day this Saturday, March 24t in both London and west Liberty Kentucky. Please consider coming out and helping them in those areas with the overwhelming clean up efforts needed.

YPEK is generous to take the lead on this effort and hopes you will be able to offer your time and energy as we unite together to assist our communities and others in need. If you are able to help, please email
Rebecca Webster at Rebecca@ypek.org
or
Johnathan Gay at johnathan@ypek.org

London KY meeting location:
London Auto Truck Center on the Hal Rodgers Parkway,
From there they will go over to Elmo’s Furniture distribution center for assignments
Time 9:00am – 3:00pm

West Liberty meeting location:
MSU at West Liberty Campus
155 University Drive, West Liberty, KY
Time 7:30am – 4:00pm



Other things you can do:
The most important thing I would like to stress is; this is still just the beginning. There will be additional times and opportunities to come out and help. Efforts are being planned for Northern Kentucky and groups are being coordinated. please go to the Atlas Collation and jump in!! We will be using this tool to help organize efforts throughout the state and assist people in need with people that want to help.

PLEASE DONATE: Money is always in need and while insurance and assistance comes in and generally helps up to 70% to 80% there is still high cost to individuals and community to rebuild. Go to Mercury One and donate Now… www.mercuryone.org * All funds raised through this effort will be distributed to local religious and faith based groups in the impacted areas.


IF YOU ALREADY COORDINATING EFFORTS: If you are a church or local charity working on relief efforts please let us know so we can point people and money in your direction and identify what you are doing. Please go to the site and submit a report stating where you are and what you are doing or send us an e-mail. We do not want to duplicate efforts where at all possible but more so allow others to step up and fill in the gaps as needs arise.

IF YOU ARE IN NEED: please go to the site and submit a report or send us an e-mail. Please give as much detail as possible. This can be as simple a request as assistance to help clear debris or other needs.

IF YOU WANT TO HELP: The human resource is the most precise resource they need. If you would like to help please go to the site and submit a report with where you are and what you may be able to do, or send us an e-mail. Teams will be coordinated or we may be able to direct you to groups near you that are already helping in relief efforts.

people can go to atlascoalition.crowdmap.com
email us at: crisis@atlascoalition.org
(Sorry for any previous inconvenience with access issues to the site, they appear to be resolved and site is active)

The Atlas Coalition (AC) is a non-profit preparedness and relief organization with a focus of creating a grass roots structure of committed, trained and prepared citizens. We enable our local volunteer capabilities through a core set of values, training certifications and processes that leverage web based collaboration technologies. Within the NGO community, the AC’s aim is to position itself as a robust local volunteer organization with national collaboration and enabling capabilities. Ultimately, we are committed to enabling Neighbors helping Neighbors.