KENTUCKY — Gov. Andy Beshear and first lady Britainy Beshear announced a toy drive on Wednesday for the children affected by the historic eastern Kentucky floods over the summer. 

What You Need To Know

  • The floods between July 25-30 caused 39 deaths and left many families without their belongings

  • Gifts can be mailed to Jenny Wiley State Resort Park until Dec. 14

  • Additional drop-off points and collection events will be announced in the future

According to the National Weather Service, the floods between July 25-30 led to 39 deaths and widespread damage. Many homes, and in some cases communities, were swept away by the floods, leaving families with nothing. 

That's why the Beshears are hoping this year's toy drive can bring smiles to the families who lost most, if not all, of their belongings. 

“I want to make sure these kids know that even if Christmas looks a little different this year, Santa will still be coming to visit them,” the first lady said in a press release. “So just like last year in western Kentucky, I am announcing a toy drive where people from around our commonwealth — and country — can donate gifts.”

Here's where to mail gifts:

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park
75 Theatre Court
Prestonsburg, KY, 41653

The Beshears said the gifts will be organized with the help of Santa Claus and his elves. They said additional drop-off sites and collection events will be announced at a later date.

The deadline to send gifts is Dec. 14.

“I’m pretty sure last year’s drive was the biggest toy drive ever,” Beshear said in a press release. “It was so special to see the children of western Kentucky smile after all they had been through. And now, our hope is that we can see those same smiles on the faces of our eastern Kentucky kids.”

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