DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. — It's been just over a week since tornadoes hit parts of western and central Kentucky and in Dawson Springs, volunteers are continuing to travel to help families devastated by the storm in any way they can.
What You Need To Know
- Recovery and outreach have continued after tornadoes rocked western Kentucky last weekend
- Groups of volunteers from Marshall County handed out free meals in Dawson Springs on Sunday
- Cottons Auction House has transformed into a donation center
- Volunteers were able to hand out more than 3,500 meals
One of those volunteers was Emily Scott. Since 9 a.m. Saturday, Scott had her hands full, ready to serve the people of Dawson Springs.
“Well I feel like it's the least I can do. If it can make a difference for someone, a warm meal, show them that we care and that they are not alone,” Scott said.
Scott wasn’t the only volunteer. After hearing the devastation of the EF-3 tornado, friends and family from Marshall County made the trip to help.
“We smoked 169 Boston butts and we've served over three thousand people thus far today and there's only 3,000 people in Dawson Springs, so nobody is going to go to bed hungry tonight in Dawson Springs,” Mitch Ferguson said.
But it was more than just serving a hot meal – it was the conversations they got in exchange.
“How they did not have a home and how it was hard for them to have food or anything, and they were thanking us for doing all of this,” volunteer Bella Shoulta said.
Outside, volunteers lined the street handing out meals in front of Cottons Auction House but inside, Cotton transformed his building into a one of a kind store. Where the community could come in and get anything they needed from canned goods to Christmas presents to put under the tree.
“It's my obligation. I have to,” Mark Cotton, owner of Cottons Auction House said. “I live in Hanson about 25 minutes away and I was going to go on vacation but I can't do that because this is part of my community as well, these people are here with me.”
For Scott, it was a day she’ll never forget.
“Something as simple as handing a stranger a meal, I don't have a clue who they are," she said. "I'll never see them again but just to see them light up and the smile on their face is pretty amazing.”
The team of volunteers handed out more than 3,500 meals by the end of the day and hope to travel to another location and serve meals after the new year.