(Photo Credit: The City of Dawson Springs, KY/Facebook)
Governor Andy Beshear visited western Kentucky Tuesday to remember those lost and to thank those who continue the work of rebuilding three years after tornadoes took the lives of 81 Kentuckians on December 10, 2021.
Gov. Beshear joined AT&T officials and local leaders in Gilbertsville to celebrate the company’s $3 million investment into high-speed internet since the tornadoes. The Governor’s trip also included a stop in his family’s hometown of Dawson Springs to visit the tornado memorial and observe a moment of silence. His last stop was in Muhlenberg County where he attended the Habitat for Humanity home dedication for the Oglesby family, who tragically lost their 5-month-old son in the storms.
The Governor had planned to join His House Ministries Pastor Stephen Boyken and Mayor Kathy O’Nan in Mayfield for a remembrance ceremony and the dedication of 8 new homes, but was unable to attend due to unsafe travel conditions. His administration announced more than 50 homes have now been dedicated by the Hope Initiative, with many of the families receiving them in attendance at Wednesday’s ceremony. Backed by the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund, over 221 homes have been built, repaired, or are under construction.
Gov. Beshear also paid tribute to multiple state agencies, the Kentucky National Guard, local sheriff and police departments, EMS and local government leaders who went above and beyond to help others in the aftermath of the storms.
He also thanked nonprofit leaders and volunteers who helped provide food, shelter and other essentials to those affected. According to the Governor’s administration, one example of the kindness shown by volunteers was just days after the tornadoes, when First Lady Britainy Beshear organized a Christmas toy drive that resulted in more than 100,000 toys and $200,000 in gift card donations that poured in from around the country to help kids who lost so much.
