Over the past several days we have been stunned by the devastation through a large area of the Midwest. While the destruction and human toll is heart wrenching, I am inspired by the impulsive desire of Rotarians to provide support and comfort.
Many members of District 6440 are inquiring how we might best support efforts for recovery in the areas affected by this week's extraordinary weather event. We have communicated with Rotary leadership in effected areas seeking guidance how you as individuals and/or clubs may help provide comfort and support. In that spirit I am writing this email to inform you of several ways that you and your Rotary club can assist the individuals and communities who were impacted by these storms.
1. For those who would like to donate through the District 6440 Charitable Fund we have activated an online donation portal. Once we have collected significant funds we will determine where to best contribute for relief efforts. Please select option one at this link to donate through District 6440: https://form.jotform.
2: You have seen the town of Mayfield, Kentucky sustained extremely devastating impact. Mafield Rotary Club President John Carrico provided the following information to directly support efforts in Midway:
You can mail checks to the following address :
Mayfield Rotary Club
P.O. Box 485
Mayfield, Kentucky 42066
If you want to send water please send it to the following address:
Mayfield-Graves County Fairgrounds
1004 Ky. 121
Mayfield, Ky. 42066
Contact Person: Allison Sloan Morris
Cell: 270-559-6301
If you want to send supplies other than water send to:
ACE Compressor
245 Kentex Drive
Mayfield, Ky. 42066
Contact Person: Allison Sloan Morris
Cell: 270-559-6301
John indicated that the are not yet in a position to accept volunteer efforts, and will keep us posted as those opportunities arise.
3. Western Kentucky is served by Rotary District 6710, and my counterpart District Governor Gail Story recorded a video message which you can view here: https://youtu.be/RI_
District 6710 has established a disaster relief fund for those who wish to donate to a Rotary effort there:
Rotary District 6710 Relief Fund
7906 Westover Drive
Prospect, KY 40059
District 6710 leadership originally recommended that financial contributions be made to the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund. a fund established by the state government at this link: https://secure.kentucky.
Additionally, the Interact Clubs of District 6710 are working on a drive to collect supplies. For more information on how to participate in this drive, please contact Kaitlyn Flowers at kedwards.rotary@gmail.com
4. As you know, significant damage occurred in Edwardsville, Illinois. Most of the coverage of the storms in Edwardsville has focused on the Amazon facility where six lives were tragically lost and many more injured, but there was also damage to residential areas impacting citizens' homes. Rotary Club of Edwardsville President Brent Garner has advised that the best organization to donate to at this time in order to support Edwardsville is the Relief Fund of the Edwardsville Community Foundation. The link to give to the ECF Relief Fund is here: https://edwardsvillecf.
5. Additionally, many individual families in and near Edwardsville have established fundraising campaigns for their own funeral, medical, or housing expenses. District 6460 Governor Ryan Byers provided a listing from the Jacksonville Journal-Courier of those funds with donation links, which you can view here: https://www.
6. Dresden, Tennessee is a small town (population 3,500) that was also hit particularly hard. The Rotary Club of Dresden, through Past District Governor April Lieberman, has established a relief fund that they will use in assisting victims. You can make a donation online at this link: https://www.gofundme.
7. Last but not least, to assist specifically with these storms and with other natural disasters across the globe, the Rotary Foundation has established a Disaster Response Fund through which Rotary clubs can apply for disaster relief grants of up to $25,000.00. Donations can only be made to the grant fund generally and not to specific disasters, however I am aware that several clubs in areas impacted by this weekend's storms are planning to apply for these grants. Donations can be made online here: https://my.rotary.org/
Thank you for making your way through this message. It was somewhat lengthy, but I believe necessarily so. In the coming weeks and months, there will certainly be additional opportunities to aid these and other communities. Please keep an eye on your inbox and the District Facebook page - we will provide more information as it becomes available.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, please contact me directly - and I thank you in advance for your benevolence.
Peace.
Kevin