Dorothy Wood gasps as she explains her family’s gratitude for a $5,000 check presented to them after a fire consumed their Smiley Court home on Jan. 19, 2022. Members of her family, including her husband, Dallies, gathered at the corner of Bunche Avenue and South Lewis Street in Glasgow on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)
BY BRENNAN D. CRAIN, WCLU News
GLASGOW — Trigg Corner has a reputation for being a happening spot, and it was Tuesday morning when a local family was presented a check to help them recover from a fire that destroyed their home.
Dorothy Wood left her home to take a few neighboring kids to school on the morning of Jan. 19, 2022. It was moments later she learned her Smiley Court home was ablaze and her husband, Dallies, was still inside it. She rushed back and hurried to evacuate him.
Rather than facing tears and worry, the Woods faced hope and peace Tuesday as they were presented a check to help them regain their home. Dallies stood nearby under a shade tree with a portable oxygen concentrator in hand.
“You know, it’s given us a chance to start over with all the stuff that was lost,” Dallies said. “It just means a lot to me and my family. It really does.”
Every dollar donated to the family was gathered through local fundraising events and non-profit generosity. Bridge Kentucky, the Boys and Girls Club of Glasgow-Barren County and members of the First Baptist Church are among those who combined their efforts to raise $5,000.
Wiping her tears away, Dorothy smiled through her trembling voice and explained how the last six months have been nothing short of a challenge for the family.
“It’s been really hard because he’s on oxygen,” she said. “He can’t climb up and down steps. That’s the reason I want to get back home – so he can get on level ground.”
The Woods found an apartment to rent after the incident, which has sufficed this long. But they echoed each other regarding their desire to be back at home and together again.
Barren County Judge/ Executive Micheal Hale described the community effort behind the donation. He harped to the audience about the importance of involvement and the impact togetherness has on members of the community.
“When Mrs. Dorothy reached out and had the conversation, I thought, ‘We’ve got to do something,’” Hale said. “With the local resources that we have her locally, there was no reason why we couldn’t help.”
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