UPPER CUMBERLAND, KY, May 8, 2026 — May 16, 2026. The one-year anniversary is approaching, and our community is experiencing a collective moment of remembrance. The fear, the news reports, the sirens, the cleanup, the community coming together. Collectively, we are reflecting on the tragic tornado that impacted families and businesses across Laurel, Pulaski, and Russell counties.
While it is expected to have flashes of traumatic and difficult memories approaching an anniversary such as this one, we are also reminded of the compassion and unity that followed.
“After the devastating tornado, we saw our communities at their best,” said Kristin Walker Collins, CEO of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, “People stepped up, grieved together, spoke out, and worked tirelessly to help friends, neighbors, and strangers recover. Our team immediately went into action. Staff and affiliate board members met with survivors, listened, and responded. One affiliate board member even lost her own home, yet without hesitation continued helping the communities she loves.”
An Appalachian Tornado Relief Fund was quickly launched through the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky’s affiliate, the Upper Cumberland Community Foundation. Through generous donations from individuals, churches, groups, other foundations, and proceeds from a benefit concert and other fundraising efforts, the fund raised $643,200. These dollars were distributed through 143 grants – $425,500 granted to individual survivors and families and $217,700 granted to businesses.
“Seeing a neighbor benefit directly from the tornado relief fund—through a simple connection of mutual friends—was deeply moving. Chairing this effort was both humbling and eye‑opening, a reminder of how quickly life can change. I’m grateful we were able to step in and support our community when it mattered most,” says Claudia Greenwood, UCCF Grantmaking Chair.
One such effort took place less than a week after the storm, when Jane Dyche, UCCF board member, along with some of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky’s staff, had the opportunity to visit the Wilderness Trail Wildlife Center. They presented the owner, Tonya Poindexter, with a $2,000 check to support the business’s recovery. While there, Tonya was gracious to give a tour and share her goals and needs with Dyche. Poindexter’s passion and heart for wildlife rescue and education was quickly evident.
She shared that she was doing everything she could with what wasn’t damaged by the tornado to continue to care for her animals but was facing challenges due to the loss of her main storage building. All of her pet carriers, extra food, blankets, and other necessary items were lost. She shared that she saw such an outpouring of love and support from people who stepped up to help in the aftermath—another example of the ways our community members came together in a time of disaster.
At the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky and the Upper Cumberland Community Foundation, we believe in the importance of disaster preparedness and building resilient communities. Our board members are deeply rooted in the Bell, Clay, Knox, Laurel, and Whitley counties and know the needs of our community. Because our neighbors came together–through financial contributions, donated supplies, and countless volunteer hours–we were able to make a meaningful difference after such a great loss. As recovery continues, so does our commitment. And we will continue to support the work of rebuilding. Together.
The Upper Cumberland Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky. UCCF serves Bell, Clay, Knox, Laurel, and Whitley Counties by providing leadership, building a culture of giving, and supporting nonprofit organizations and agencies. They have a strong, active board and have developed credibility in the communities that they serve. To learn more about UCCF, visit https://www.appalachianky.org/communities/uccf/.
To learn more about Poindexter’s work, visit https://www.wildernesstrailwildlifecenter.org/.
To learn more about the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, visit https://www.appalachianky.org/.
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