FAIRMONT– The tornadoes that recently devastated Kentucky and the surrounding area have captured the attention of the nation. Many organizations have stepped up to help the victims, including a group of local veterans.

There will be a collection and fundraiser from 9 a.m to 6 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The collection will take place at the site of the Martin County Veterans Memorial, 507 Winnebago Ave. in Fairmont.

Chuck Mixson, a local veteran, said he saw all of the things happening in Kentucky and southern Illinois and felt compelled to help so he called everyone on the board of the Martin County Veterans Memorial.

“It’s pretty terrible. The town of Mayfield is the same size as Fairmont and the whole town is flattened,” Mixson said. “That main tornado that did so much damage went 200 miles on the ground. That’s like a tornado hitting Fairmont and going all the way to LaCrosse, Wis. That’s a long way for a tornado to go and tear things up.”

This isn’t the first time Mixson has worked to raise supplies and funds to go toward a devastation in the country.

In 1980 he partnered with the radio station and raised money for flood victims in Austin and Rochester after heavy rains that year.

“Back in 2001 on Sept. 11, we stood on the highway by the old VFW building and everyone brought American flags and we collected $24,000 in five hours for the firemen in New York City,” Mixson said.

He said he’s trying to do that again with the help of the board.

Items in need include flashlights, generators, utility gloves, gas cans, warm clothes, blankets, shoes, toiletries, paper plates and utensils, diapers and non-perishable food items.

“These are the things the groups in Kentucky are looking for right now,” Mixson explained.

They’re also collecting money and Mixson said people can give cash or a check. If people want to write a check, Mixson asks that they write it out to the Martin County Veterans Memorial, a 501(c)(3) organization so it’s tax deductible.

Mixson said they’ll collect the checks and then write one check with the total amount and make it out to another charitable organization in Kentucky, though they’re not sure which one yet.

On Sunday, Mixson and fellow board member Terry Anderson will leave town and make the 12-hour drive to Kentucky to deliver the goods.

“This is just a bunch of veterans, trying to honor veterans, that think it’s important to do things for other Americans, too,” Mixson said.

He’s confident that the fundraiser will receive good support from the community.

“The people in Martin County are pretty generous and if you ask them to help they normally do,” Mixson said.