When western Kentucky was hit by tornadoes in December, 4-H members wanted to help, and Adams County 4-H reached out with a plan.
Kristy Watters, the 4-H educator in Adams County, started emailing Kentucky 4-H agents she knew to see if they had established fund or donor opportunities. “I was searching for email addresses on the Kentucky 4-H website and decided to try Kelsey Chadwick, the 4-H agent in Graves County, one of the hardest hit areas.”
Together, the two created a plan, and with the help of the Adams County 4-H Advisory Committee, a request was made for blankets and pillows. Kristy reached out to neighboring counties in Ohio and had support from Adams, Brown, Clermont, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs,
Ross, Scioto, and Vinton counties, as well as the state 4-H office.
Dave Baker, an Adams County 4-H volunteer, secured the use of a new cargo trailer from Tadlock Trailers. Adams County volunteers and staff from Brown and Clermont counties sorted donations and filled the trailer and two pickup trucks with supplies.
Less than a week after the tornado, adult and teen volunteers headed to Kentucky. Their delivery included blankets, pillows, diapers, food, toys, first aid supplies, tarps, batteries, flashlights, cleaning supplies, gas and gas cans, paper products, and personal care items. A large financial donation was given to the Graves County 4-H Council to help their 4-H families.
Graves County volunteers were overwhelmed and grateful. “Giving back is 
such an important part of the 4-H program. Helping our neighbors is just what 4-Her’s do,” said Watters.