Miranda H. Lewis
Carter County Times
Last Friday marked one week since a deadly tornado ripped through several communities in Kentucky, leaving devastation in its wake. Seventeen people lost their lives in Laurel County alone. As the sun rose on May 17, the people of Carter County were already rallying—not only with words, but with action.
What began as a heartfelt effort by MaKaylen Genung of The Olive Branch Market in Olive Hill quickly grew into a county-wide mission of compassion. Genung, moved by the news of the tragedy, organized a donation drive that would go on to impact hundreds of families in Laurel County. She was joined by small business owners, farmers, and residents alike, all contributing whatever they could to help people they had never met.
“From the time I started the market, I knew that I wanted our mission to be around serving our community,” Genung said. “The night of the tornado, I had been up all night, watching the live feeds and weather alerts… Not only because it was in our home state, but one could tell from the reaction of several meteorologists that this would be catastrophic come daylight. I didn’t know exactly how at the time, but immediately knew we had to step in and help in some way.”
Among the first to answer the call was Emily Baier, owner of BaierHaus in Grayson.
“Emily had reached out to me, letting me know she was eager to help in any way she could,” Genung recalled. “She’s a fellow businesswoman with a similar faith-based mission, and I knew her location would be a perfect way to join efforts and get both ends of the county hand in hand with gathering goods… She went above and beyond, extending hours for donation drops, and even going on her own run to load her truck bed up the morning of our journey.”
BaierHaus quickly became a hub for donations, alongside other generous small businesses including Lewis Land and Cattle Farm, Events by Beck Balloons & Gift, Whimzi Works, Silver Spur Ink, Rudy Fest, and A & K Pools. These businesses not only collected and organized physical donations but also helped pack and prepare items for delivery.
In addition to the local efforts, individuals from both nearby and out of state contributed monetary donations and essential relief supplies—totes, tarps, contractor bags, baby formula, hygiene items, protein snacks, and more. After consulting contacts in London, Genung learned what was most needed:
“The top needs were non-perishable foods, totes, and tarps for property cleanup and distribution,” she explained. “I also knew that along with itemized donations, I wanted to be serving food on-ground—letting these survivors know they weren’t in this alone, while being able to assist with any direct needs.”
By Thursday night, the team had received nearly $4,000 in monetary donations, 70 cases of water, 25 totes of supplies, and enough food to prepare over 600 lunches.
“Olive Hill always exceeds my expectations any time there is a need, no matter how big or small,” Genung said. “The initial response on social media was overwhelming and far exceeded outside of our surrounding counties due to the sharing of our town’s people. Just in four days, we raised close to $4,000 in donations alone—and nearly doubled that when counting all items donated. People from neighboring counties told me they’ve never seen a community step up like Olive Hill does.”
On the morning of delivery, Genung posted:
“We have three vans that have been filled to the brim, prayed over, & heading to London, Kentucky to spread the love of Carter County to our fellow holler folk.
“Along with donations and our people, these vans are also filled with a ton of emotion, as we head to grounds that are full of complete devastation that we’ve never witnessed firsthand. Please continue to pray for our journey, & that God will land us where He needs us most today.”
Upon arrival in Laurel County, Genung was directed to Sunshine Hills—an area described as one of the hardest hit.
“There was no preparing,” she said. “I stood in the middle of this exact neighborhood, by myself, with my sleeping one-year-old in our van. Seeing single shoes, toys, and pages of books in the rubble—knowing these were homes of families just like mine, just five days prior.”
Despite the destruction, the compassion of survivors left a lasting mark.
“I grieve every night for these people, and all that’s left to still mend in their lives,” she said. “Survivors, who had just lost everything they’d worked their entire lives for, were asking if it were too much to take a lunch and a tote. Nothing will truly open your eyes more than the complete gratitude of a survivor of a tragedy.”
The team fed over 600 meals to displaced families, first responders, and weary individuals sheltering in emergency centers or sleeping in vehicles. The response reaffirmed Genung’s belief in the importance of showing up.
“When interviewed by WSAZ,” she said, “they asked me why we were joining such efforts, being two hours away from the worst hit areas. I told them, ‘Kentucky is Kentucky, and I know they’d do the same for us.’”
“Moments like these are reminders that small town support comes from within, and that’s why we’ll continue to support ours in all that we do,” she continued. “My people were the definition of olive branches this past week—spreading hope to God’s people; to our neighbors.”
Gabe Lewis of Lewis Land and Cattle echoed that sentiment:
“In the midst of devastation, we witnessed overwhelming compassion. The strength of our small towns was on full display,” he said. “This is the spirit of Appalachia—quiet, kind, and full of love in action.”
For Baier, the experience became deeply personal. She remembered the prayer over donations before departure and a heartfelt moment with a former Laurel County resident now living in Grayson:
“She said, ‘My new town is helping my hometown,’” Baier said. “We hugged, cried, and just stood there in that gratitude. It was beautiful.”
What started as a grassroots effort in two small towns turned into something much larger—a living testimony of what it means to be Kentucky Strong. The residents of Olive Hill, Grayson, and beyond didn’t just send supplies. They sent love, dignity, and the assurance that Laurel County is not alone.
As Genung wrote:
“Kentucky proud, until we are Heaven bound. Keep praying for our people.”
And as Carter County proved—when hearts are full and hands are willing, even the smallest towns can move mountains.
Contact the writer at miranda@cartercountytimes.com
