On December 13, 2021, Traditional Bank established the Western KY Disaster Relief Fund in response to the devasting tornado outbreak which cut more than a 200-mile path of destruction through several Western Kentucky counties, taking an especially heartbreaking toll on the community of Mayfield. As a result of those fundraising efforts, Traditional Bank CEO Andy Baker presented a check to the United Way of the Bluegrass in honor of a $115,363.83 donation recently made to the United Way of Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund.

Andy shared the following message via an email to our employees on December 13, “Our hearts go out to our fellow Kentuckians who are suffering from the devastating tornado outbreak in Western Kentucky. We offer hope and prayers to so many who are now grieving, assessing losses, and seeking help in meeting the most basic human needs of shelter, clothing, nourishment and healthcare. But we want to do more.”

We searched for a local non-profit organization who could help us get funds directly into the hands of Western Kentucky agencies and community leaders as efficiently as possible. United Way board member and bank employee Chas Sargent quickly connected Andy with the United Way of Kentucky and its Tornado Relief Fund. Through discussion with the United Way of the Bluegrass, the bank learned that donations to the United Way of Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund would directly benefit local emergency management, disaster partners and others providing critical relief services in the impacted counties.  

Our fundraising efforts began with a grass-roots, word-of-mouth approach including social media posts, website posts, and cash and check donations collected through the bank’s branch network. A few days after the campaign launched, we were able to add an online donation portal. As an incentive to encourage donations, and increase the fund’s impact, Traditional Bank provided a dollar for dollar donation match in the amount of $25,000.

Donations poured into our seven-county footprint, and within a week, the first match was met. In response to Kentuckians’ overwhelming generosity, we increased our matching pledge from $25,000 to $35,000. Within days, that fundraising goal was met, and the bank once again increased its match…this time to $50,000. 

“As a board member of the United Way of the Bluegrass, I’ve seen first-hand the impact they make throughout our state. I was glad to be able to partner Andy and the bank with the United Way of Kentucky Tornado Relief fund, knowing that 100% of the money we helped raise is going directly to people in areas who need it most.” Sargent said.

While the Traditional Bank match has been met, the United Way is still accepting donations online here.