DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. — A Cincinnati police officer showed the true meaning of Christmas when he traveled to western Kentucky this week, giving back to tornado victims in Dawson Springs.

The Cincinnati Police Department said Sgt. Dave Corlett began collecting funds for the people who lost everything when tornadoes hit several Kentucky towns. As more and more donations came in, CPD said Corlett found a business in the area to match contributions.

He decided to drive four hours to Dawson Springs and neighboring Madisonville to pass out donations to those in need. CPD said Madisonville Mayor Kevin Cotton walked him through the storm damage before he traveled throughout the two communities, passing out $12,000 worth of $100 bills to residents.

In a release, Corlett said he was deeply impacted by the trip.

"My heart is full and I urge each of you to enter this Christmas with a little more appreciation for what you have," Corlett said.

CPD said Corlett started the department's Military Liaison Group, a program that aids police response to a scene where a veteran is in crisis. According to CPD, it is now the model for other police departments across the country.

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MAYFIELD, Ky. —

Kentucky towns devastated during a rare December tornado outbreak will take months or longer to rebuild. Recovering from the emotional trauma could take even longer.

Experts say it is important for tornado victims to be vulnerable and open to talking about the trauma they experienced.

"There's no rulebook of how to manage a natural disaster," said Tara Immele, a clinical social worker with Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services. "The first and foremost, you need a roof over your head and everyone acknowledges that. But the challenge is going back to address the emotional components there."

Immele said PTSD is common in people who experience a traumatizing natural disaster like a tornado.

"A lot of times it's a delayed response: a week, a month, six months later. You see a lot of folks enrolled in just basic counseling still addressing and responding to some of their negative experiences," she said. "Some people may withdrawal or act out, especially kiddos. But the thing is to make it a part of conversation, not force it but at the same time, don't make the tornado taboo."

The American Red Cross utilizes licensed therapists to meet survivors' emotional needs in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.

A spokeswoman said the teams "identify individuals who need additional support, provide short-term disaster mental health interventions and refer individuals to local resources as necessary, in order to supplement local community resources and strengthen community resilience."

Tim Andreasen and his family are a handful of the tornado survivors in Mayfield who recognize they will need some kind of professional help to rebuild their minds and overcome the trauma of the storm.

"I'm taking it day by day right now. It's not fully hit me yet. It will hit me when I'm alone by myself," Andreasen said last week.

His 7-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter were both home when the tornado ripped their home apart.

"They keep hearing glass break every time they go to sleep," he said. "I keep telling him he needs to talk and get it out before it eats him up. I haven't even talked to nobody yet."

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Distillers, brands and celebrities are donating items to auction off in support of the state's Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund.

The Kentucky Bourbon Benefit is auctioning off hundreds of rare spirits, memorabilia and experiences to raise money for western Kentucky residents impacted by last weekend's deadly storms. People can bid on items between Dec. 16-21, with all proceeds going directly to the state fund.

Items include an Old Rip Van Winkle 23-year-old bourbon whiskey decanter, a tasting and tour with NFL Hall of Famer Charles Woodson and a private experience at Castle & Key Distillery. The benefit said items will be posted at different times, with new options going live each day. The top 15 items will be available for bidding until 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21.

Anyone interested can bid safely online. People who would like to make a donation to the benefit can also do so on the benefit's website. People must be 21 or older to participate in the auction. To view all available items, click here.

The Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund was established by Gov. Andy Beshear Dec. 11. To donate directly to the fund, click here.

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