Tornado relief effort: Teen donates hay, supplies to Kentucky farms

SCOTTSBURG, Ind. — A high school student from Indiana organized relief efforts for those affected by a deadly string of tornadoes in western Kentucky.

Madyson Richey, a junior at Scottsburg High School, coordinated a supply train to help those in need — including livestock.

“I started getting supplies together such as hay, buckets, feed, clothes — the basics for animals and people,” she said.

Her family farm was hit by a tornado several years ago, so she knows what it’s like to deal with the aftermath of a big storm.

When Richey heard about the farms affected by the tornadoes last December, she chose to take action.

“It was so close to Christmas and I thought they needed help — something needed to be done,” she said. “They couldn’t just be left in the dark.

“We really have to stick together. We can’t just say, ‘Oh, I’ll let someone else help them.’ We have to step in and do it ourselves. If we stay together, we’re going to be better off.”

Richey thanked Hick’s Painting, Wiley Farms, Smith Farms, J&C Feed, Hayday Inc., and Triple H Hay and Fencing for helping with relief efforts.