Governor Andy Beshear visited Kenlake State Resort Park and Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park on Tuesday, delivering toys and greeting families as part of First Lady Britainy Beshear’s Western Kentucky Toy Drive to benefit the children of families whose homes were destroyed in the Dec. 10 tornado.
“They might not have a place to call home but today, they have a huge Christmas”, Governor Beshear said. “More gifts than they could ever probably pack into their car. Each and every one of these kids deserves it.”
Local organizations were on hand to help families pick out toys and wrap packages as well as a visit from Santa. The Lady Marshals basketball team volunteered at Kentucky Dam while the softball Lady Marshals were at Kenlake, entertaining the kids with arts and crafts.
More than 70,000 toys, games, bikes and other items have been donated to the Western Kentucky Toy Drive. Donations poured in from across the country, including Hasbro, the maker of Play-Doh, Nerf and many classic board games.
“I’m the dad of a 11- and 12-year-old…Christmas is an incredibly special time and to think eight, nine days ago these folks were in a bathtub or in a basement just praying to survive, walking up to see so much ruin”, Beshear said. “But today, they are the center of the universe in a very positive way.”
Beshear said looking around, you see the love of this commonwealth of this country, pouring out for these kids.
“Every day, every week, every month and every year that it takes we’re going to stand with each and every one of these families”, Beshear said of the time it will take to rebuild. “We are not going to let them down. We are not going to forget them. We’re going to rebuild homes, we’re going to rebuild lives.”
Beshear wished everyone a Merry Christmas and expressed thanks for all the love for our people who are hurting.
“Keep it up”, Beshear said. “Let’s remember being good human beings. It’s one of the most important lessons of Christmas and you see it on display here.”
