It was just three days after the May 22, 2011 disaster that the Joplin Tornado First Response Fund was established for donors who were seeking a way to help the community after the devastating EF-5 tornado. Now, just short of three years, nearly one million dollars have been received and given to numerous community groups who work to provide for the safety, security and recovery of the residents of Joplin and Duquesne.
During a Press Conference today, Phil Stinnett, Chairman of the Tornado First Response Board, provided a full report of the allocations totaling $995,951.82, which includes $23,811.38 worth of interest on the $972,140.44 amount of donations.
“First, let me say thank you,” he said. “Nearly one million dollars came into our community from hundreds of people. The compassion and support of so many people are reflected in the grants that were given with their donations. Twenty-seven agencies were able to use these funds to provide assistance to thousands who were affected by the disaster.”
On May 25, 2011, the City of Joplin announced the establishment of the Joplin Tornado First Response Fund, in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Southwest Missouri (CFSWMO), for donors interested in supporting redevelopment mid- and long term community redevelopment efforts. The Fund’s Board of Trustees offered three grant cycles, and awarded grants to charitable organizations & governmental entities for the use of funds to provide:
1. Relief to tornado survivors
2. Rebuilding & restoring infrastructure
3. Enhancing disaster preparedness through improved warning and safety measures.
According to the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO), the parent of the CFSWMO, the Tornado First Response Fund received 991 gifts, ranging from $1 to $119,000 that came from around the world. Donations to this fund have slowed, grant allocations continue to provide assistance, with 41 grants given to 27 various agencies for a diverse spectrum of new and replacement needs including home construction and repairs, housing, furnishings and appliances, emergency weather radios, wheelchairs, storm shelters, playground equipment, children’s services addressing behavioral and emotional disorders from trauma of tornado, and staffing of growing services needed by survivors of May 22, 2011. (Please see full report at joplinmo.org/TornadoFirstResponseFundReport.)
By utilizing three grant cycles, Stinnett was pleased with the timing of the fund allocations. “Although some may have thought this was dragged out a little long, we intentionally did it in this manner. Disaster management officials had indicated that after the first wave of support coming into our community, some of those resources would leave, and we would still have needs that aren’t being met. As this occurred, the recovery efforts continued because this fund was a resource, allowing the agencies to address the unmet needs of the community.”
In recognizing his fellow Board members, Stinnett, who served on the Council from1998 - 2010 and as Mayor from 2004 - 2006, thanked them for their commitment and dedication in their work these past three years. During each grant cycle, members reviewed applications, and interviewed some of the applicants before making decisions about which agencies to fund.
“We saw numerous individuals who are devoted to helping those who were hurting, and provided for their well-being - mentally, physically and spiritually. In looking through the various needs that have been filled through these grants, I am honored to have been a part of this. It has been truly rewarding to work on this Board.”
The Tornado First Response Fund is one of 21 funds being managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and its Joplin-based affiliate, the Community Foundation of Southwest Missouri. Many organizations, employers and individuals established various funds for donors that addressed either a general area or a segment of the recovery. Louise Knauer, CFO Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing, noted that some funds remain open and continue to make disbursements. Anyone interested in more information or donating to the recovery efforts of Joplin and Duquesne can visit www.cfozarks.org/donate or www.joplinrecoveryfund.org .
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