Mount Vernon Winsupply leads donation effort after deadly Jefferson County tornado

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

MOUNT VERNON, Ill. (KBSI) — As families in Jefferson County begin recovering from a deadly tornado that tore through the area Sunday night, one Mount Vernon business is helping turn community support into action.

Mt. Vernon Winsupply spent Monday collecting donations and organizing relief efforts for families impacted by the storm. The business served as a drop-off location for supplies and delivered a trailer load of donations to the affected area Monday evening.

Showroom Manager Sara Clark said the company wanted to provide a way for people to help those affected by the tornado.

“I personally know several families in that area,” Clark said. “Winsupply is wanting to come together to unite the community in ways they can help people that have had the devastation.”

Clark said the goal is to make sure donations reach families who need them most.

“We’re becoming a drop location for you to drop off supplies. That way, we can get them into the hands of the families that are affected and that need the help,” she said.

For Kelley Thompson, whose home was destroyed during the storm, the support from neighbors and community members has been overwhelming.

Thompson said she, her daughter and another family member survived the tornado after becoming trapped in the wreckage of their home. She credited neighbors with helping rescue them moments after the storm passed.

Despite losing her home, Thompson said she remains grateful.

“I’m so thankful because God’s brought us through it,” Thompson said. “There’s others that lost their lives, and we say prayers for them and their families. But three of us could have lost ours just as easy.”

As recovery efforts continue, Thompson said the outpouring of support from the community has meant more than she can put into words.

“It makes me very proud because everybody has come in and jumped in without any questions and helped,” Thompson said.

She said support from friends, family, church members and community organizations has helped provide hope during an incredibly difficult time.

“It’s 18 years of memories with your children and my grandchildren,” Thompson said. “But anything can be replaced except for the lives.”

Clark said community members responded quickly after Winsupply announced its donation effort.

“My hope is that this will help the community come together,” Clark said. “This will give people a place to donate items when they don’t know what or where to go, and then we can get them dispersed to the families that really do need them in this time.”

Thompson said she is thankful not only for the help her family has received, but for the support being provided to everyone impacted by the storm.

“I just can’t thank people enough for jumping in,” Thompson said. “Not only to help us, but everybody else that’s been affected.”

Clark said recovery efforts are just beginning, but the community’s willingness to help has already made a difference.

“Several families have been extremely devastated. Several families have lost everything. And then a couple people have also lost their lives,” Clark said. “At this time, it’s just a matter of joining hands and being the hands and feet to get supplies where they need to be.”

Winsupply said donations collected Monday were delivered to Zion United Methodist Church, where volunteers are assisting families affected by the tornado.

This article will be updated with information about Kelley Thompson’s GoFundMe fundraiser and additional donation opportunities as those details become available.