In less than two days, Shawn Triplett of Mayfield, KY has raised $25,000 to buy toys for local children who lost everything in the tornado that destroyed the town. 

Triplett was in Chicago attending a Wounded Warrior event when the storm began. He put his wife and kids in a safe hotel near Mayfield, then took off for his home town on the first flight.

Triplett couldn't believe the devastating conditions in the community.

"We went to a shelter. I saw this kid crying in his mom's arms saying he had lost his Christmas" Triplett said. "It absolutely devastated me, it broke me in half."

It was that moment that inspired him to create a GoFundMe to help buy toys for the children that are suffering.

When we spoke to Triplett, he was shocked to hear that he had raised $13,000.

22 hours later, his campaign has reached more than $25,000.

"These kids saw a lot of trauma. In my military career, I saw quite a bit of trauma myself. I think that's what it comes down to. I need them to have the best Christmas they can have and move beyond that trauma as best as they can" said Triplett. 

He has done a lot of shopping in the last two days, filling shopping carts to the brim with toys at a local Walmart.

To contribute to his campaign, visit his GoFundMe and donate what you can.

Shopping carts full of toys

Triplett with Walmart employees and volunteers