DALLAS, Pa. — A company in Luzerne County wants to help families devastated by the tornadoes in Kentucky.
It will be an almost 900-mile journey from a facility in Dallas, Pennsylvania to Mayfield, Kentucky, one of the towns hit the hardest by those tornadoes.
Trucks full of basic necessities will travel to the tornado-ravaged area where thousands of families lost everything they own.
"I know a lot of this is last minute but you can't plan for something like this," said Wally Pilger from Pulverman.
Pilger and Corey Barnum are managers at the metal-making company Pulverman in Dallas, Luzerne County.
Images showing the communities reduced to rubble and debris inspired them to put together a relief effort.
"We were sitting at home on Saturday and we were watching the news, and the disaster came across, and we sat down - me, my wife, and my kids, and we were discussing how much we take for granted. So I want to provide back to the community and show how much everyone can come together as a group and as a country," said Barnum.
The company is holding a donation drive this weekend.
Volunteers will load trucks on Sunday with they're hoping, a lot of supplies, and bring them directly to the people in need in the Midwest.
The death toll is near 80 in Kentucky. More than 100 people are still unaccounted for in Kentucky. Thousands lost their homes, and many of those whose homes are still standing are without power. In parts of the town, you can see nothing but debris.
"Hopefully, we can help just get them the basics. You know, you think, water, everybody takes water for granted, but if you don't have water to drink, you don't have clothes to wear, you don't have food, it's just devastating," said Wally Pilger from Pulverman.
The company is looking for things like canned or boxed food, hygiene products, clothes, pet food, and gifts for kids who may not have a home on Christmas morning.
The collection is taking place Sunday, December 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the facility in Dallas.
The address is:
1170 Lower Demunds Road
Dallas, PA 18612