The Tucker Community Foundation has recently established a Disaster Relief Fund to provide monetary assistance to nonprofit organizations which are providing services and support to residents affected by recent weather related flooding.
The fund will serve both short- and long-term flood recovery efforts. Donations can be ear-marked for relief activity benefitting specific communities affected by the 2019 flood within the foundation’s grant area – Grant, Randolph and Tucker counties in W.Va. and Garrett County, Md.
“Some have compared the June 30 highwater and flooding event to the 1985 flood,” said Kelly Stadelman, development director for the Tucker Community Foundation. “Several communities within the Tucker Community Foundation’s service area received substantial damage. We know the hurt the businesses, families and individuals in Grant, Preston, Tucker and Randolph counties are experiencing.
“We know there is much work ahead. We hope the Disaster Relief fund will enhance efforts currently underway and aid the recovery and rebuilding process.”
Donations can be made securely online by visiting the Foundation’s website or Facebook page and clicking on the donation link. Donations by check should be made payable to Tucker Community Foundation and include “Disaster Relief Fund” in the memo of the check. Mail checks to Tucker Community Foundation, PO Box 491, Parsons, WV 26287. All donations are tax-deductible.
There were millions of dollars in property damage left in the wake of the flood waters that ravaged homes, schools, and families during the early morning hours of Sunday, June 30. Over five inches of rain fell in some locations over a two-three hour period. Currently five counties in West Virginia are under a State of Emergency.
“The recovery needs in our communities are anticipated to be significant,” Stadelman said. “We are over half way to our goal of $10,000. Thus far we have received over $2,500 in private donations. Additionally, the Tucker Community Foundation donated all proceeds from the raffle tickets sold during the 30th anniversary Uncle Sam’s Birthday Party to the fund, over $3,500.”
Once funds are collected, the Tucker Community Foundation will reach out to organizations who are providing direct services to families. The money will be distributed to legitimate service organizations. As needs are assessed, we will collaborate with a network of local funders and multi-agency organizations to identify the most pressing needs, reply to matches made by funders, or issue a challenge for a particular need that is unfunded or underfunded.
Awarded grants will assist agencies in covering unexpected operating costs, as well as expenses related to direct services for those affected by the storm, such as shelter, food, home repair, health, mental health and other disaster relief and emergency assistance services. Special emphasis will be placed on services for low-income, elderly, disabled and other special needs populations.
The Tucker Community Foundation manages more than 130 endowed funds, providing annual scholarships and grants to nonprofits and charitable causes throughout the eight-county service area – Barbour, Grant, Mineral, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph and Tucker counties in W.Va. and Garrett County, Md. Inspired by the flood of 1985, the mission of the Foundation is to create opportunities for the communities we serve. For more information on scholarships or to learn about the foundation, visit www.tuckerfoundation.net.
