By WILLIAM CLARK
On Dec.10 a tornado ripped through Kentucky leaving a path of destruction and devastation in its wake. Homes were destroyed and communities were upended by the natural disaster.
It was an easy decision by the Asbury Park Rotary club to jump into action to help those in need. Together with the Spring Lake-Brielle Rotary Club, the Asbury Park chapter donated $6500 to communities in Kentucky that desperately needed help.
Rotary member Tony Chambrovich reached out to the Rotary located in Mayfield, KY, and connected with a man named Fred Biggs. Chambrovich said that Biggs detailed how his town and the surrounding area lost hospitals, police departments, fire departments, post offices and homes, leaving survivors with few desperately needed resources.
Chambrovich said it took a few days to get a response, but when Biggs reached out, Chambrovich was compelled by his story. According to Chambrovich, Biggs said that most tornadoes are like standing next to a train, but the December tornado “was like standing next to a Jet engine.”
Biggs’s family was involved with the recovery effort, Chambrovich said, searching for those lost in the collapsed candle factory in Mayfield.
The donations came from members of the Rotary including a generous $1000 straight from a member’s pocket. The State Farm office in Ocean Township also donated to the effort.
The money is already helping support those in need. Chambrovich said they have been able to put those funds towards electricity, fixing vehicles, and rebuilding houses.
The Rotary routinely holds fundraisers to support causes such as scholarships for local students. In addition, each December, the Rotary participates in Wreaths Across America. This past year, Chambrovich said the group raised money to place 800 wreaths at Mount Calvary and Hamilton cemeteries in Neptune.
“The thing about the Rotary is that the people are so good,” Chambrovich said.
For more information or to donate, visit AsburyParkRotary.org.
