LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — Bankers have given back.

Following a radio challenge by Tim Barnes, president of Hometown Bank in Corbin, 27 banks with the Kentucky Bankers Association (KBA) have collected $38,353 for local tornado victims.

This was the first time the KBA has joined together for a fundraiser of this type for Kentucky communities.

“It’s a group of community bankers…we’re all competitors here, but, when it comes to something like this, we are all going to team together,” Barnes said.

 The Kentucky Bankers Association presented the check to Judy Nicholson, executive director of the United Way of Laurel County, on Friday.  

“There’s still a lot of work to be done, but we sure appreciate what you all do.  You’re going to touch a lot of lives,” Nicholson said.

Nicholson said there is a special committee who will be voting on how the funds will be used.  All of the donations will stay in Laurel County and reports will be given to the KBA on how the funds are used.

In total, there were 68 families affected by the March 2 tornado who acquired anywhere from minor to major damage to their homes.

“There are a lot of families that need things in excess of what they were compensated (by insurance or FEMA),” Laurel County Judge-Executive David Westerfield said. “There’s a lot of needs — appliances, wheel chair ramps, porches, and there’s going to be a lot of things this money can be used for.”

A total of 27 banks contributed and allowed the public to drop off funds at their various locations.  Some of the participating banks included Hometown Bank, First Trust Bank of Hazard, The Bank of Harlan, Citizens Bank of Mount Vernon, Citizens Guaranty Bank, Farmers Bank in Danville, First Federal Savings and Loan, First National Bank in London and Corbin locations, Commercial Bank, First State Financial, Hyden Citizens Bank, Jackson County Bank, Whitaker Bank, Forcht Bank, Community Trust, First National Bank of Manchester, First National Bank of Russell Springs, Citizens National Bank of Somerset, and Cumberland Security of Somerset.

Checks were received from as far as Western Kentucky, while the majority was received from Harlan to Boyle counties.  

The KBA is currently still accepting donations for the Laurel County tornado victims in the same manner within their various locations within Southeastern Kentucky.  

For more information about the United Way of Laurel County, visit www.uwky.org/.



mmccrarey@sentinel-echo.com