Your HOKC trustees and staff continue to work with those assisting in western Kentucky. This next week, the Grants Committee will vote on the second wave of support to organizations who are beginning the rebuilding process. We have listed several organizations we have found working in western Kentucky and wanted to share the impact they are making. Thus far, the Honorable Order has granted over $250,000 to 24 nonprofits making an immediate impact.

Kentucky Habitat for Humanity is the state support organization with 33 affiliates across 48 counties in Kentucky. They are working with the affiliates in counties that had significant damage and have developed a Disaster Recovery Initiative that they hope will assist 400 families who had their homes destroyed or damaged.

Kentucky Lions Club District 43 began their work immediately with Lions from across the region, banding together, to distribute generators, chainsaws, and other immediate needs. They understand that this will be a long-term rebuilding process and are assisting families in moving from hotels into temporary housing. They want to rebuild emergency weather signals, replace water tanker vehicles and other equipment for volunteer fire departments, as well as supply everyday household items to families.

Homes and Hope for Kentucky is assisting in the long-term disaster recovery of Graves County through repairing and cleaning up damaged homes. They have partnered with Mennonite Disaster Services who are providing free labor to rebuild homes. Homes and Hope for Kentucky has an ultimate goal of helping to rebuild 100 homes over the next few years.

Living Lands & Waters is an environmental organization that has grown to be an industrial strength river cleanup organization. They spend up to nine months a year living and traveling on the barge to host river cleanups, watershed conservation initiatives, workshops, tree plantings, and other key conservation efforts. They are aiding in clearing the immense tornado debris that landed in Kentucky Lake.

This impact could not be done without the support from Kentucky Colonels in 46 states and 13 countries. There is still work to be done. On December XX the Ralston family issued a $2 million challenge to the Kentucky Colonels. The Board of Trustees matched $1 million while working with Colonels from around the world to match the other $1 million. To date, we have raised $479,078.79. In addition, Colonel Wade Conner and Trinity Metals partnered with Hotel Tango to produce, purchase, and donate bourbon for the Kentucky Colonels to raise funds. This has raised an additional $61,113.60 for western Kentucky bringing the total amount raised to $540,192.39. If you wish to help those affected by the horrific tornadoes that struck western Kentucky, please click here to donate.

Visit https://link.edgepilot.com/s/bb1094c3/CaNnnoGk306vB23PqR_6Pw?u=https://www.kycolonels.org/tornado-relief/ to see an updated list of organizations HOKC has helped and fundraising efforts.