By Gabriella Borter

MAYFIELD KY. (Reuters] – Kentucky neighbors offered refuge to their friends affected by deadly tornadoes. Others showed up with chainsaws to remove fallen trees, and strangers brought chains saws. And restaurants gave out gift certificates for hot meals to anyone without electricity or water.

While the state was recovering from the destruction of at least 774 homes and causing damage to over 1,000 others, the kindnesses of the people of the state arrived Monday.

People rushed to Mayfield’s aid. This is a rural community with 10,000 residents that has been struggling financially. Residents say everyone knows each other and many families stay there for decades.

SRM Concrete’s colleagues Utley worked with reacted quickly to the damage done by the tornadoes at her home. They delivered firewood to Utley on Sunday. Utley has been a concrete truck driver for the company since June.

Nine coworkers assisted her Monday to sort through debris and salvage what little she had left. She was able to retrieve Christmas presents and other family treasures that were hidden under the walls and roof, as well as her car’s doors.

“For them to be out here, taking time out of their day to come help me, it means the world to me,” Utley, 32, said over the whir of a chain saw.

Ricky Murphy, 41 years old, claimed he did not recognize his hometown after he moved from Louisville to Kentucky.

It was long a part of the city’s flat landscape that had seen its water tower. The city’s small historic downtown buildings, many of which date back to 19 century, were reduced in size to brick piles.

Murphy helped to distribute food, clothing, and other supplies at Fairview Baptist Church on Monday. This is the Black church Murphy grew up in, which also had an informal donation center.

“People are giving shoes, people give the clothes that they have, people give the money that they have, the resources, the homes or whatever,” he said of the generosity he had witnessed.

DONATIONS POUR IN

Similar scenes unfolded across Kentucky. Kentucky officials stated that it may take several weeks to compile the total tolls from the damage and death caused by tornadoes.

Andy Kasitz assistant director for resort parks at Kentucky State Parks, stated that Governor Andy Beshear asked for help washing dishes for the displaced people living in state park resorts.

A state tornado relief fund has received nearly 30,000 donations in excess of $4 million. Governor said that the initial tranche would go to funeral costs. He added that each family would receive $5,000, and asked funeral homes for a cap on the total cost.

In Bowling Green, about 135 miles (217 km) east of Mayfield, restaurants had collected more than $50,000 in gift cards for free meals for tornado victims by Monday afternoon, said Josh Poling, owner of the Hickory & Oak steakhouse.

Katina Miner (40), a lawyer, stated that her home was nearly half destroyed by the four maple and black walnut trees she lost in storms.

She stayed with her friends for 2 nights and returned to her home on Monday morning to discover that 15 others had arrived, with some carrying chainsaws while others were carrying fallen limbs.

Miner stated, “Some neighbours, some church members and others we don’t even know.” Through all of this, we are truly blessed. There are many things that can be substituted. “We are secure.”

Tammie Bugg (59), sat on a Mayfield street corner with First Baptist members, pouring coffee into cups and then bringing the contents to every vehicle and emergency vehicle.

Many recipients had been working all week and were often exhausted emergency personnel. They were touched by the small gesture of coffee and found it a pleasant way to smile.

“And that’s what we need,” Bugg said.