Jeffers Bend thanks local inmates for flood aid ahead of Take Kids Fishing Day

During the May 13 Christian County Fiscal Court meeting, Diane Turner with Jeffers Bend Environmental Center shared how the community has showed up to support them as they gear up for Take Kids Fishing Day.

Christian County NowTake Kids Fishing Day at Jeffers Bend Environmental Center in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. May 25, 2024 (Daynnah Carmona)

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – During the May 13 Christian County Fiscal Court meeting, Diane Turner with Jeffers Bend Environmental Center shared how the community has showed up to support them as they gear up for Take Kids Fishing Day.

“Jeffers Bend got flooded, we lost some heating and cooling units and some refrigerators and stuff like that, and four of our buildings had water all the way through,” she told the magistrates during public comments. “We don’t have a crew to come in and cleanup, we have to do it ourselves.”

Since the park is run by volunteers, flood recovery efforts seemed daunting for Turner. However, through a collaboration with the Christian County Jail, seven inmates in the trustee program were able to arrive at Jeffers Bend to offer help.

“It’s important to keep them involved because it’s another way to rehabilitate them, to show them the importance of giving back,” Jailer Adam Smith told Christian County Now. “It also helps them learn about responsibility and the value of hard work.”

Turner continued to thank Smith and the trustees that came out to help clear out areas damaged in the flood so they could be ready for the upcoming Take Kids Fishing Day event.

Leading up to their summer events, they have had additional support from community as Leadership Hopkinsville-Christian County successfully completed their parking lot expansion project at the end of April. As part of the class’s year-long community service initiative, class members worked alongside community partners to move and spread gravel, making way for increased visitor access and improved event accommodations at Jeffers Bend.

Take Kids Fishing Day will take place on Saturday May 24 between 9 a.m. and noon as an opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy nature. Families can come with their fishing gear at the cost of $2 per person, military and first responders are free. Participants will receive a shirt and lunch, and a water slide and obstacle course will be set up for kids who need a break from fishing.