Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari on Sunday handed out shoes to Kentucky residents displaced by tornadoes last weekend.
Calipari said in a tweet that 5,000 pairs of shoes were available on site at Pennyrile and Lake Barkley state parks, with another 5,000 shoes on the way. The shoes were donated by Samaritan’s Feet, a company which provides shoes to those in need, according to Beshear’s office. Some of the Kentucky residents who have been displaced are staying at the state parks.
“The damage in the area is obvious and devastating, but buildings can be rebuilt,” Calipari said in a tweet. “Our focus right now is on the people in that area and the enormous toll this has taken on them. How can we lift spirits and let people know we care for them and are there for them.”
Calipari called Samaritan’s Feet CEO Manny Ohonme after hearing from Beshear that shoes were needed, according to Beshear’s office. Ohonme “turned this around in 48 hours,” Calipari said.
Calipari, Beshear and Ohonme were joined Sunday by Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart, and former men’s basketball players Darius Miller and Jack Givens.
“So many people are stepping up in big ways to support our families in Western Kentucky,” Coleman said in a statement. “We Kentuckians have grit, but we have compassion in equal measure, and we truly are showing up for each other right now.
“I want to thank all the volunteers, everyone who has donated to our Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund, and this morning, I especially want to thank Coach Cal and Samaritan’s Feet. Today, Manny, you too are a Kentuckian.”
Beshear said Saturday that 944 people were being housed by the state after their homes were affected by the tornadoes. The devastation from the tornadoes had led to more than 10,000 insurance claims being filed, according to Beshear’s office.
“We are all neighbors in Kentucky,” Beshear said in a statement Sunday. “We love one another and we look out for one another. And my commitment to the folks of Western Kentucky is, we won’t be here just this week or this month, but we will be here every single day for however long it takes to rebuild every building and every life, to get everyone as close as we can to where they need to be.”
As Kentucky state parks house tornado victims, the state has said the parks need volunteers from Christmas Day through the following week.
Those who can help should contact Andy Kasitz, assistant director of resort parks for Kentucky State Parks, at 502-418-3581 or by email at andy.kasitz@ky.gov, according to Beshear’s office. Volunteers need to make their own arrangements for housing because all available accomodations at the parks are needed for those displaced and for first responders.
Nearly all seven state parks were at capacity as of Friday, according to Beshear’s office. Park accommodations will be available for four weeks minimum, according to Beshear. The park accommodations were initially only available for two weeks.
This story was originally published December 19, 2021 4:56 PM.