When Thomas Woodward returned to his home after the storm, he was left with nothing but the clothes on his back and the shoes on his feet. Everything he had ever owned was literally blown away into a nearby field and beyond.

Trying to recover what he could scattered across the field was overwhelming for Woodward, but soon twenty-one people in yellow shirts from the group 8 Days of Hope offered to help him recover what he could. 

Woodward says even though they only found a knife here and another knife there, knowing that so many were here to help, was an encouragement to Woodward.

From that very first night, God said “I’m here.”

Thomas also benefited from assistance from Northside Baptist Church, Hope Initiative, Samaritan’s Purse and Mayfield Graves County LTRG’s case management partner, Disaster Recovery TWKUMC.  

“I have been so blessed to work with my Disaster Recovery case manager, Mary Kate. She is a good christian woman who works hard to serve others,” said Woodward. 
“I wasn’t down in the dumps or ‘asking why me,’ but Mary Kate really helped by just saying ‘I got this.’ Anytime an obstacle came up, she knew how to take care of it,” said Woodward!

Thomas knows that many in our community still need help- and to them he says “Don’t give up hope! There is so much hope here in Mayfield! So many jewels in our community have helped me in so many ways! So just hang in there! I’m praying for you.”