11,000 handmade Christmas ornaments sent to tornado victims- some even from Japan
BOWLING GREEN, Ky.-As we approach the holidays, it’s a time for family gatherings and cheer.
For some, it’s a sad reminder of everything they lost in the deadly tornadoes right before the holidays.
“A year later a lot of people have forgotten but these people are still picking up pieces of their own life and putting it back together.”
The organization, Operation Christmas Ornaments, is working to add a little holiday spirit back into victim’s lives….with handmade ornaments.
“Our kids have made them, we’ve received them from relatives, things like that. So when it comes time for the holidays and time to put the tree up, that’s a big loss….that they don’t have the ornaments they’ve been collecting for years,” said co-coordinator of the organization Laura Davis.
Volunteers brought 600 ornaments to Jennings Creek Elementary. 11,000 ornaments in total were collected for Kentucky tornado victims from 32 states, including japan!
“It’s the power of social media,” said Davis.
Some of the Jennings Creek students live in the hardest hit area in Bowling Green.
“We got all of our windows busted, I was sleeping in my room,” said student Bentley.
Bentley’s home in Moss Creek was destroyed in the tornado. The family has been displaced and is now living across town.
“Our Christmas tree got ruined in our house. We wanna decorate where we get presents,” said sister McKenna.
The rest of the ornaments will be dropped off in other affected areas like Mayfield and Dawson Springs.
“People who served were just as blessed as the people who were receiving these. I have received so many thank you cards from them, allowing them to serve this area,” said Davis.
They will also be collecting donations for eastern Kentucky after the flooding this past year.