SALYERSVILLE – The community has seen an outpouring of support from all over the state following the bus wreck that occurred on Monday morning.
Magoffin County Schools Superintendent Chris Meadows told Mortimer Media Group, “We’ve had a tremendous amount of support and calls. I’m getting calls and messages from superintendents of different districts. I know that Judge Prater is coordinating an effort here locally, but also with other district judges across the state and I just couldn’t begin to name the organizations and people that have reached out to help these families and I think that’s what you always find during a tragedy. You always see the good in people and we’re definitely seeing that these past couple of days.”
Meadows explained that District Judge Dennis Prater reached out to him to help spearhead fundraising, offering to collect money for gas and food cards for the families traveling back and forth to the hospital.
Judge Prater told the Independent, “On Monday, when the wreck happened, I had several colleagues – other judges – texting me asking if there were anything they could do. Several other Masonic lodges reached out to me, too, where I’m treasurer, and on Tuesday I was on my way to work in Knott County when I called Chris Meadows. We’ve been friends since we were babies, so I just told him I had several people reach out to me and to let me take this off his plate. Let me round up some money for gas cards and food cards. I just wanted to help and I wanted to relieve some of what was on his plate.”
Since making the announcement that he was taking up money for the families affected by the bus wreck, Judge Prater said this is one of the few times he’s speechless by the outpouring of support.
“A lot of people are just handing me cash right out of their pocket and they don’t want a receipt or any recognition,” Prater said. “A lady wanting to be anonymous gave $1,000 yesterday and said she just wanted to help. I guy came in the courthouse and pulled out five 100-dollar bills. I’m going to go to Prestonsburg tomorrow and have several stops to pick up donations and I’m sure this is going to continue at least into next week, so I’m going to work with Mr. Meadows to gather what I can and get it to those families, and then continue to help them as the donations come in.”
Checks made out to the Magoffin County Board of Education, cash, and gift cards are being accepted at the Magoffin County Board of Education District Office, as well as by Judge Prater. Donations via PayPal can be made to dbprater@hotmail.com, or through Venmo to @Dennis-Prater-4.
Meadows said they have a system at the board office to document every donation received and when it’s distributed.
“We want to make sure all families are helped through this,” Meadows said. “Definitely those that are spending a lot of time in the hospital, but we also know there are families where their student has been released, but also have a lot of traveling to do, lots of doctor’s appointments, so we’ll be reaching out to them, as well, as they have to travel to and from those appointments.”
Meadows said gas cards are helpful, noting there’s a Shell station directly across from the University of Kentucky hospital, where many of the injured are still recovering. Food cards are helpful, of course, and they are taking Visa gift cards to help cover hotels for those who are having to stay near the hospital.
Judge Prater referenced the “Magoffin Strong” stickers being sold at the county clerk’s and county judge’s office, saying, “These say ‘Magoffin Strong’ and that’s the truth. Most of this is coming from right here in the county, but we’re getting a lot of support from all over the state.”
He noted that many from Western Kentucky, which was hit last year by a tornado right before Christmas and many from Magoffin sent donations, paying it forward from the 2012 tornado that hit Salyersville.
“They reached out in July when the flood hit and, again, with this wreck,” Judge Prater said. “I had a law school classmate of mine reach out. Total strangers I don’t know from Adam are sharing the Facebook post and businesses from all over are sending money. It’s just amazing.”
In 36 hours, Prater estimated the donations were currently at $10,000 and he noted that he would continue to work with Meadows to make sure every cent goes to all of the families affected by the wreck.
