More than 3,000 donors have given $1,447,641 to the Indian Lake Tornado Relief Fund over the last six weeks, officials from the United Way of Logan County reported Friday, May 3.
Donations have poured into our community from 40 states coast-to-coast, including California, Maine, Washington, and Florida.
Businesses, schools, churches, and groups around Ohio have conducted special fundraisers. Several donors have written letters expressing fond memories of growing up here. One women reminisced about meeting her husband one summer at Indian Lake.
These donations are a difference-making bridge in this gap between the storm and long-awaited government assistance and insurance claims.
“You’ve helped hundreds of survivors start the rebuilding process, move to new homes, or make down payments on new cars,” United Way EDirector Dave Bezusko said. “We’ve been the recipient of dozens of grateful hugs as victims thank donors from afar whom they will never meet.
Since Wednesday April 10, the local team of case workers has met with 368 households who made appointments for direct assistance through the Tornado Relief Fund.
A total of $879,293.78 has been distributed to help 344 households (778 tornado victims); 24 cases are in process, awaiting decisions or verifications from applicants; and 10 additional households are already scheduled for in-take, with additional appointments available and expected.
Here is the breakdown in how tornado victims are choosing to use their United Way help:
• 172 Home Insurance Deductibles – $262,541.86.
• 124 Home Repairs – $218,117.88.
• 64 Rents for new or existing homes – $95,016.64.
• 36 Security Deposits for new homes – $57,418.33.
• 26 Down payments for New Autos – $50,186.53.
• 32 Auto Repairs – $36,476.09.
• 50 Auto Insurance Deductibles – $38,257.18.
• 21 Auto Loan payments – $21,691.67.
• 44 Mortgage payments – $38,808.94.
• 19 Hotel Stays – $13,184.11.
• 35 Utility Bills – $10,148.84.
• 5 Student / Youth Participation Fees – $1,117.46.
• 7 Pet Cares – $1,350.37.
• 5 Prescription Medications – $682.50.
• 53 Other items, such as storage, moving expenses, generators, furniture, appliances, etc. – $34,295.38
Appointments occur at the Multi-Agency Resource Center in conjunction with other state and local agencies so that victims can bundle and maximize the help they can receive. Residents needing transportation to an appointment can call Lift Delivery at (937) 722-1347 for a free ride.