Kentucky’s First Lady, Britainy Beshear, spent Thursday morning at Lake Barkley State Resort Park’s Convention Center walking, talking and “shopping” with families — who had come inside to comb through the rows and rows and rows of donated presents through her toy drive.
An initiative she began mere moments after the December 10 and 11 tornadoes in west Kentucky, Beshear, husband and Governor Andy and their two children wanted to experience the moment together and first-hand.
Hundreds came through for themselves: mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandmothers, grandfathers. If they had two hands, an empty bag and a way to get to the state park — either because they could drive there, or because they were lodged there as a displaced guest — there was a place at the table.
Scores of volunteers were on hand, too, for gift-wrapping, bouncy-castle guarding, music and fun — in what was a Christmas party come two days early.
Chris and Sheenna Jones, of Mayfield, plan to surprise two nephews who lost everything — when their Windhaven Apartments on Mayfield’s South Second Street were completely demolished.
Most of their family is safely staying in Wingo, Sheenna said, but didn’t have a way to make it to Trigg County Friday. It’ll make a Saturday surprise even sweeter.
Deandre Harris, a native of Memphis who resides in Mayfield, plans on offering the same surprise. His separated wife and daughter suffered considerable loss, while a girlfriend, her two sons and her grandmother also experienced catastrophic damage.
Beshear had already made two solo stops on Tuesday, when his entourage paid visit to both Kenlake State Resort Park in Aurora and Kentucky Dam Village in Gilbertsville. Friday afternoon, the Beshear family left Trigg County and bounded for Dawson Springs and Pennyrile Forest State Park — an important and familial landmark.
The governor has already noted that the surplus of toys will almost certainly help provide birthday care packages this upcoming year, for families who were affected by these storms.
No data found.
