By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green area residents are showing some brotherly love for their sister city in Kentucky. As of the City Council meeting this evening, local residents and businesses had donated $28,975 for their namesake to the south.
That number continues to grow, with residents digging into their pockets and wallets at a Bowling Green High School basketball game this evening, said Mary Hinkelman, executive director of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Mike Aspacher and Hinkelman announced the results – so far – of their fund drive for the tornado ravaged Bowling Green, Kentucky.
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 150 mph winds destroyed or damaged an estimated 500 homes and 100 businesses.
Aspacher decided his city needed to do something for the other Bowling Green. He discussed the idea with his predecessor Dick Edwards and with Hinkelman. A plan was devised to ask local residents to show some love for their Kentucky counterparts.
“A call to action was issued from my office,” he said.
Aspacher had high expectations – but the community surpassed those.
“I want to celebrate the generosity of the Bowling Green community,” Aspacher said at Monday’s City Council meeting. “I couldn’t be prouder.”
For three hours last Friday 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.
“There were cars backed up to Wooster and to Pearl Street,” Aspacher said.
Money came from residents young and old, and businesses big and small, he said.
Cash and checks are still being dropped off at the chamber of commerce office.
“The donations haven’t stopped coming in,” Hinkelman said.
The money from Bowling Green, Ohio, is earmarked to put people in temporary housing and help with utility bills. Displaced people are currently living in schools, so finding other locations will allow kids to get back to school, Hinkelman said.
Monetary donations received will be sent to the Bowling Green, Kentucky, 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/.
