Christmas in July event planned for tornado-damaged communities

Two-time Grammy-winning artist and Kentucky native, Jason Crabb, visited Paducah Monday to announce a partnership with Relevant Church.

Crabb said he teamed up with the pastor and author Jentezen Franklin and disaster relief group, God's Pit Crew, to deliver toys and other items for a Christmas in July event for communities affected by the Dec. 10 tornado.

"Jentezen Franklin called me and said, look, I'm sending you 50 thousand dollars. Go make sure you put it in the hands of the people," said Crabb. "Not only that, I'm also sending you two trucks full of toys with God's Pit Crew." 

Crabb said Franklin intended to have them delivered for Christmas, but once we had boots on the ground, "We found out people would love these toys but didn't have a place to put them."

"I believe I was there for one reason," said Crabb referring to the Kentucky Tornado relief Benefit with Steven Curtis Chapman. He said he was backstage when Christiana Garrott with Relevant Church brought up the Christmas in July event and the light bulb went off.

Crabb said they have two trucks waiting to be unloaded that are full of bicycles and other toys that people made possible.

"We prayed from the beginning that God would lead us, guide us and direct us," said Crabb. "So I believe that prayer was answered, for this, for those babies, for those kids."