In December of 2021, many lives across Kentucky were changed forever. As a fierce tornado ripped across the Midwest and through the entire state of Kentucky, it left many homes damaged or completely destroyed, businesses leveled to the ground, people young and old fighting for their lives in hospitals and even many that did not survive. This was a day, December 10^th 2021 that we as Kentuckians, will never forget. This ferocious EF4 tornado crashed through the UK Princeton research station leaving nothing but old building foundations and memories of what used to be a beautiful piece of paradise. 

In response to this devastating act of Mother Nature, it was our time, as extension professionals to shine and really give back to the communities that support us so much. On December 11^th The Allen County Extension Service contacted the County Judge Executive and county officials to organize a drop off point in Allen County for community members to drop off donations for the areas that were impacted by the tornadoes. The Allen County Extension Office served as the drop off point and the County Judge Executive helped with organizing where the donated items needed to be dropped off in the counties affected. With the help of the agents, SNAP-Ed assistant, staff assistants, homemakers and volunteers The Extension Service was able to successfully meet the needs of communities all across the state. 

With the tremendous help from the stakeholders in Allen County, in a span of 4 short days there was $950.00 of monetary donation and over $6500.00 worth of new and lightly used clothes, food, water, toiletries, tools and baby products received and distributed to communities in need. In that short 4 day period, the agents traveled over one thousand combined miles delivering items to drop off points. The 4-H & Youth Development and Family & Consumer Science agents dispersed two loads of items to Dawson Springs and the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent delivered three trailer loads to Mayfield and Dawson Springs drop off points. Without the hard work of everyone involved, none of it would have been possible. In trying times, our communities came together to help change the lives of those in need.