At 7:02 PM on July 8, 2014, Smithfield NY was struck by a tornado with peak estimated winds of 135 mph. The tornado killed four people and destroyed several homes. This tornado is believed to be New York state's second-deadliest tornado. The EF2 tornado touched down in Smithfield last year, killing 35-year-old Kimberly M. Hillard, her 4-month-old daughter Paris Newman, 70-year-old Virginia Warner and 53-year-old Arnie D. Allen.

Don and Connie Degroat (parents of Kimberly, grandparents of Paris, and close relatives of Virginia) have had far too much to cope with.  The  Degroat family besides loosing family members have also been dealing with the damage to their home, barn, garage, and apartment due to the rare tornado.   The family is in need of a barn to store his things.   The Degroat family could really use your help. Lets come together and try to pick up some of the pieces the Tornado left behind. I want to do this as a memorial of the lives that were lost and to shine a beautiful light of hope on a family that is so deserving of support. Every bit helps!!