WEST LIBERTY, Ky. (WKYT) - "Think about this story in three years, where people look back and say, you mean you recovered from that? Not only recovered, but are thriving? That's a movie," said UK Men's Head Basketball Coach John Calipari.

No Hollywood deals are in the works yet. But it was a successful morning nonetheless as tens of thousands were raised for Morgan County storm victims.

"Appreciate everything KSR (Kentucky Sports Radio) is doing and Coach Calipari and everybody calling in. It's been really great," said West Liberty resident Billy Smith.

Smith, who lost his sight ten years ago, has experienced the storms devastation differently than most.

"I can still hear the big trucks going through, and everybody hammering, trying to get everything back to somewhat normal anyway, if it can ever be," added Smith.

There are signs of progress in downtown West Liberty though. A new gas station has been put in since the tornado rolled through. And we have learned there are plans in the works to replace other buildings that were demolished.

"They're still here and they need more help. This is gonna be a couple year project and it's gonna take the Commonwealth, the community, the state government, the federal government, it's gonna take everything," Calipari said.

Coach Cal chipped in to the fund-raising event, to the tune of 25 thousand dollars, matching 25 thousand that was brought in from donors nation-wide.

"I would predict, what I saw today, in the next couple years this place will be stronger, West Liberty will be, than it was three years ago," Calipari said.