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Recovery Coalition still gathering funds for area disaster victims
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| Steve Marlow, East-Central Iowa REC representative, presents a check to the Buchanan County Disaster Recovery Coalition recently. Coalition members present include (front, l-r) Lynda Fiester, Amy Holle, Karla Mills (case advocate), Marlow, Patty Esch, Wanda Kress, (back) Rick Wulfekuhle, Nichol Hohenbrink, Julie Jetter, Bruce Bearinger, John Hougen, Amy Marlow, Julie Berner. |
INDEPENDENCE - The Buchanan County Disaster Recovery Coalition continues the work of the long-term recovery process for residents affected by the numerous disasters in Buchanan County this year.
Steve Marlow, Manager of Operations and Engineering at the East-Central Iowa REC, recently presented a donation to the Buchanan Disaster Recovery Coalition to assist these families.
Upon the presentation, Marlow stated, “You should be proud of what you are doing here in Buchanan County. I go to meetings in Iowa and hear about the efforts of the long term recovery in Buchanan County and how it has been a model for the rest of the State of Iowa post disaster.
“We realize at East-Central Iowa REC how long it can take to recover from such events. We hope this donation can assist the Coalition to help Buchanan County residents in their recovery process.”
“The Buchanan County Disaster Recovery Coalition will continue to assist those who were affected by the disaster for as long as necessary,” said Karla Mills, case advocate for the coalition.
After the flood in 1999, the coalition met for over a year.
“Long term recovery is a process. It takes weeks, and sometimes months, for disaster victims to finalize paperwork with federal and state entities to determine any assistance available to them,” Mills explained.
When the paperwork is finalized, the Coalition steps in to assist upon the request of the disaster victim, and sometimes before should items such as heat be needed for Iowa weather.
Mills is available to assist individuals through this process and/or to help them apply for Coalition assistance. She can be reached at the Buchanan County Disaster Recovery Coalition office at 3189-334-3289. She is available late afternoon and early evening hours and by appointment on Saturday.
Mills has been with the Coalition since 1999, working as case advocate as the need arises. In this capacity during the current long term recovery, she is hired and funded by Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI), the Lutheran Disaster Response affiliate for Iowa.
She is requesting those who are were affected by the disaster but were not able to pick up a $25 food voucher during the recent Coalition hand out to contact her at her office to request one.
The Buchanan County Disaster Recovery Coalition would not be able to help residents without the help of many in monetary donations, fundraising, or services. Many have come to the Coalition’s aid when asked, such as East-Central Iowa REC and LSI, like McGraw’s Carpets, Eddy Law Firm, Oelwein Publishing Company, The Winthrop News, First Presbyterian Church, Wal-Mart, NE Iowa Food Bank, Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging, and the churches of Buchanan County to name a few.
“ Our communities are very supportive, but our work is not yet done. After Jan. 1, look for our fundraising project, “A Storm of Giving”, with Steve Marlow taking the lead to increase private donations,” Mills said.
The Coalition is hoping for a good response to this request to continue to help those still in need, and to prepare for disasters to come.
Recently, Coalition members were able to request and receive $30,000 from the Embrace Iowa program to be put to work in Buchanan County.
“Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who have lost so much. The Buchanan County Disaster Recovery Coalition wishes to thank all who have helped our residents so far, and look forward to working with others who can support our work in the future,” Mills said.
The Buchanan County Disaster Recovery Coalition is the long term recovery coalition for Buchanan County. Established in 1999, the Coalition activates each time a natural disaster occurs within Buchanan County that leaves county residents in need of assistance above and beyond what Federal and State entities can supply.
For questions or information regarding the Buchanan County Disaster Recovery Coalition, contact the Coalition office. Applications for assistance are available at Community Services in the lower level of the Buchanan County courthouse or by contacting the Coalition office.
Steve Marlow, Manager of Operations and Engineering at the East-Central Iowa REC, recently presented a donation to the Buchanan Disaster Recovery Coalition to assist these families.
Upon the presentation, Marlow stated, “You should be proud of what you are doing here in Buchanan County. I go to meetings in Iowa and hear about the efforts of the long term recovery in Buchanan County and how it has been a model for the rest of the State of Iowa post disaster.
“We realize at East-Central Iowa REC how long it can take to recover from such events. We hope this donation can assist the Coalition to help Buchanan County residents in their recovery process.”
“The Buchanan County Disaster Recovery Coalition will continue to assist those who were affected by the disaster for as long as necessary,” said Karla Mills, case advocate for the coalition.
After the flood in 1999, the coalition met for over a year.
“Long term recovery is a process. It takes weeks, and sometimes months, for disaster victims to finalize paperwork with federal and state entities to determine any assistance available to them,” Mills explained.
When the paperwork is finalized, the Coalition steps in to assist upon the request of the disaster victim, and sometimes before should items such as heat be needed for Iowa weather.
Mills is available to assist individuals through this process and/or to help them apply for Coalition assistance. She can be reached at the Buchanan County Disaster Recovery Coalition office at 3189-334-3289. She is available late afternoon and early evening hours and by appointment on Saturday.
Mills has been with the Coalition since 1999, working as case advocate as the need arises. In this capacity during the current long term recovery, she is hired and funded by Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI), the Lutheran Disaster Response affiliate for Iowa.
She is requesting those who are were affected by the disaster but were not able to pick up a $25 food voucher during the recent Coalition hand out to contact her at her office to request one.
The Buchanan County Disaster Recovery Coalition would not be able to help residents without the help of many in monetary donations, fundraising, or services. Many have come to the Coalition’s aid when asked, such as East-Central Iowa REC and LSI, like McGraw’s Carpets, Eddy Law Firm, Oelwein Publishing Company, The Winthrop News, First Presbyterian Church, Wal-Mart, NE Iowa Food Bank, Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging, and the churches of Buchanan County to name a few.
“ Our communities are very supportive, but our work is not yet done. After Jan. 1, look for our fundraising project, “A Storm of Giving”, with Steve Marlow taking the lead to increase private donations,” Mills said.
The Coalition is hoping for a good response to this request to continue to help those still in need, and to prepare for disasters to come.
Recently, Coalition members were able to request and receive $30,000 from the Embrace Iowa program to be put to work in Buchanan County.
“Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who have lost so much. The Buchanan County Disaster Recovery Coalition wishes to thank all who have helped our residents so far, and look forward to working with others who can support our work in the future,” Mills said.
The Buchanan County Disaster Recovery Coalition is the long term recovery coalition for Buchanan County. Established in 1999, the Coalition activates each time a natural disaster occurs within Buchanan County that leaves county residents in need of assistance above and beyond what Federal and State entities can supply.
For questions or information regarding the Buchanan County Disaster Recovery Coalition, contact the Coalition office. Applications for assistance are available at Community Services in the lower level of the Buchanan County courthouse or by contacting the Coalition office.
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