By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
They came driving cars, pedaling bikes, pushing strollers and pulled by their dogs. They came with a desire to help the other Bowling Green – in Kentucky.
For nearly three hours this morning, a steady flow of traffic pulled through the bay at the Pearl Street fire station as local residents put donations into a bucket to help with tornado recovery in Kentucky.
Mayor Mike Aspacher had high expectations for the fundraising – but the response surpassed those.
“It’s amazing. It’s been this way since quarter till 7 this morning,” Aspacher said as he approached another driver with the donation bucket.
“I love that you’re doing this,” the driver said, as she wrote out a check.
Casey Cromwell, was walking his dog, Buddy, past the fire station on their normal route this morning when he spotted the sign about the fundraising for Bowling Green, Kentucky.
“I just saw the sign, and I had money in my pocket,” Cromwell said. Buddy, he noted, joined his family when they rescued him nearly a decade ago from a flood in Kentucky.
Jennia Knestrick was on her way to work in Toledo when she made a detour to the fire station.
“It looked like their city was destroyed,” she said. “Your heart goes out to them.”
In exchange for their generosity, those stopping by the station were offered free Biggby Coffee by Fire Chief Bill Moorman, and doughnuts from Sweet Stop by other city staff.
Linda Turner handed in her donation, and took a cream stick for the road.
“We may need help someday,” she said.
Donna Trautman welcomed the opportunity to help the cause.
“I wanted to donate, but I wasn’t sure where to – and Bowling Green gave us a great way to do that,” she said. “This is a wonderful thing to do.”
Jan Bell said he was compelled to donate after seeing the destruction from the tornadoes.
“My heart just goes out to those people,” many who are left with nothing, he said. “This is our way of giving back.”
And Steve Powell got a little nudge from his wife.
“My wife saw it this morning, and said ‘Steve, you’re going to Bowling Green – you better stop by,’” Powell said with a smile.
Aspacher and Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mary Hinkelman teamed up to organize the drive for Bowling Green, Kentucky. Donations are being accepted until 5 p.m. today at the chamber office at 217 S. Church St.
During Monday’s City Council meeting, the mayor will announce the amount of money raised.
The turnout this morning was amazing, he said.
“It’s really been unbelievable,” Aspacher said. “I had high expectations, based on what the community has done in the past. This has exceeded my expectations.”
Hinkelman said people appreciate being able to donate to an organization they know is legitimate.
“We had donors stop by yesterday,” she said. “We had a BGSU student stop by yesterday from Kentucky, who wanted to help.”
At least 16 people were killed in Warren County, home to Bowling Green, Kentucky. Among those were eight children, and 11 residents of the same street in Bowling Green. The body of a teenage girl, who had been missing since the tornado struck, was found this morning, Aspacher said.
“It’s difficult to comprehend,” he said.
Aspacher spoke with his mayoral counterpart in Kentucky, Todd Alcott, this morning on The Morning Show.
“It was heartbreaking, to listen to him talk about the destruction and loss of life,” Aspacher said.
The 150 mph winds destroyed or damaged an estimated 500 homes and 100 businesses.
Aspacher immediately thought about the connection between the two Bowling Greens – with our city reportedly being named in the mid-1800s by a retired postal worker who had once delivered mail in Bowling Green, Kentucky, 401 miles to the south. Aspacher talked over the possibility of raising funds for the battered Bowling Green with his mayoral predecessor, Dick Edwards, who was supportive of the idea.
“This type of disaster requires a community response and we feel a strong connection to our ‘sister’ city sharing our name – Bowling Green. Let’s rally around our namesake community and provide them with our support to help them get back on their feet,” Aspacher said.
Monetary donations received will be sent to the Bowling Green, Kentucky, Chamber of Commerce to help alleviate some of the financial impacts to their residents. Checks should be made payable to the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce. Those who are not able to donate in person are encouraged to visit the website established by the Bowling Green, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for tornado relief – https://www.bgchamber.com/sckstrong/.
