Taking Care of Our Own

Providence, Kentucky

Casey Majors and his wife were asleep when a tornado with winds up to 70 mph ripped through this western Kentucky town four months ago, destroying dozens of homes and businesses. One person died while 30 were injured.

Although they escaped serious injury, the couple's one-story frame house was so damaged that it was pronounced unlivable. The 10-second storm tore off the roof, busted the walls and windows, and crushed their pick-up truck and car. Next day, Majors carted whatever he could salvage from their belongings and moved in with his father who lives a mile away.

A corrections officer (CO) for four years at the Western Kentucky Correctional Complex, Majors got another surprise a few days later. But this one was a lot more pleasant. His co-workers came to the family's aid by raising $550 from a rummage sale. "We all decided right away to do something for Casey," recalls Mike Goddard, a volunteer member organizer. "He is our brother and when one of our own is down on his luck, here in Kentucky, we go the extra mile to help out."

The International has also donated $2,000 to help the Majors.

"I'm grateful to both the International and our union for helping us put the pieces of our lives together," he says. "I may have lost a home but having a union more than makes up for the loss."

Majors expects to have his new house built by Christmastime.