Brethren Disaster Ministries extends rebuilding project site in Kentucky

Brethren Disaster Ministries staff have announced that the rebuilding project currently serving Dawson Springs, Ky., has been extended until Aug. 17, 2024. This project is rebuilding homes as part of the 2021 tornado recovery in Hopkins County. Brethren Disaster Ministries opened the project site in January 2023.

On Dec. 10-11, 2021, a devastating outbreak of 61 confirmed tornados swept through eight states with Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri being the most impacted. From 24 counties in Kentucky alone, over 15,000 applications were completed for requests for assistance from FEMA. Estimates are that around 75 percent of the town of Dawson Springs–home to around 2,500 people–was leveled. Fifteen lives were lost More than 650 of the 1,200 housing units in town were lost.

All volunteer groups that are on the schedule for Project 1 through Aug. 17 will be traveling to continue our partnerships serving in Hopkins County. Brethren Disaster Ministries volunteers are currently housed at the Habitat for Humanity Pennyrile Region property in Madisonville, Ky.

There are still some openings for volunteer groups, leaders, and individuals during this time, both for those who would like to return and those who would like to serve for the first time. Find volunteer openings at www.brethren.org/bdm/rebuild/schedules or contact Kim Gingerich at kgingerich@brethren.org or 410-635-8730 for more information.