Monroeville-based Corvette Club sends relief supplies to Kentucky tornado victims

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Monroeville-based Corvette Club sends relief supplies to Kentucky tornado victims

Tanisha Thomas | Thursday, January 20, 2022 10:23 a.m.

Courtesy of Mike Weber

The truck used to donate supplies to Kentucky to help with tornado relief efforts organized by Mike Weber. The picture was taken on Jan. 24. Courtesy of Mike Weber

It was a small gesture that turned into a bigger generosity for a Manor man who was just looking to help.

Mike Weber felt compelled to do something after seeing the news on the deadly tornado that stormed through Kentucky in December. The tornado killed more than 70 people and left some homes and buildings damaged.

“It was Christmas time so I wanted to do something good for people,” he said.

Weber used word of mouth to spread the message about his effort to his fellow members in the Monroeville-based Corvette Club of Western Pennsylvania. He thought about taking a truck down to Kentucky but decided to change plans after realizing the trip would take nine hours.

With the help of a friend’s employer and others, they were able to fill up a 48-foot trailer truck with items including clothes, pet supplies, new toys and food from Penn Township community members and businesses.

Weber was able to collect $3,340 to donate to the Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund. The biggest donation was $1,800 from the Corvette Club, he said.

The initiative took a span of two weeks between collecting money donations and supplies for the trailer. Weber called the Kentucky Governor’s office to see where everything could be donated.

“It grew into something bigger than I thought it was, which was nice,” Weber said.

John Walko, a fellow member of the Corvette Club of Western Pennsylvania, said he was impressed by how much Weber raised from his plea for donations. He said just from an evening meeting the club had, over $1,500 was raised between 30 people.

The club has a history of working with various causes and charities over the years, he said. “You know we come from an area, the Pittsburgh area, where people help people.”

Weber said the donation check given will be used in the state’s general fund for further relief efforts. He hopes to be able to do similar work next year.

“I was thinking either for Children’s Hospital or St. Jude’s to help collect and help somebody out. It was just a good feeling for the holidays.”

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