Knott Co. sends comfort to youngest victims of storms

By KAREN JONES CODY

It’s a beautiful spring. As we enjoy the sunshine, warm temperatures, budding leaves and blooming flow- ers, we can almost forget the fierce storms that raged across Kentucky earlier this month. A few counties away, however, there are many people who can’t forget. They are no doubt even more thankful than we are for sunny days — but they must also deal with the losses and changes brought on by tor- nadoes and storms.

W e are proud that in Knott County, there are many people who continue to remember our neighbors and seek ways to assist them. This week, some of them provided a gift to a special group of storm victims — children in West Liberty.

Deb Moore, who works with the Knott County Youth Foundation, told the Times that during Judge Thompson’s ongoing communication with judges in storm-damaged counties, there were conversations about children affected by the situation. “We all started talking about the kids who lost ev- erything, who are living in temporary places and have no toys of their own any- more,” Moore said. “Then Teresa mentioned that we had leftover toys from ‘Christmas with Kenny’s Kids.'”

Tourism Director Teresa Huff, who is one of the organizers of the Christmas event, explained that she has a cousin who is an assistant principal at a West Liberty school. “He didn’t lose his home, but five people in his neighborhood were killed,” she related. “I knew he would know the needs of children in the area. I talked to him, and agreed that he could direct toys to kids who need them most.”

On Tuesday, a van literally stuffed with toys left Knott County bound for West Liberty.

Huff was joined on the trip by Lola Patterson, Director of the Knott Drug…

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