SUMTER – A local organization has formed a long-term recovery group responsible for the support and recovery from October flooding in Clarendon, Sumter and Lee counties.
United Way of Sumter, Clarendon and Lee Counties will be the fiscal agent for the Tri-County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), who has formed the Long Term Recovery Group, a collaborative team “tasked to strategically align all available resources, including volunteers, material donations and alternative funding, to support the recovery needs of our community,” according to a release from the organization.
This group will assess the greatest unmet needs of individuals in the area, assist local organizations in aiding flood victims, seek financial and in-kind resources, and determine priorities for funding recovery efforts. The collaboration will include community leaders, representatives from affected communities, FEMA, non-profits, faith community and others.
“The Long Term Recovery Group will be implementing a system to address unmet needs throughout the area in partnership with national and state VOADs,” said South Carolina Baptist Disaster Relief representative and Tri-County VOAD Chairman Steve Shumake.
One of the major responsibilities of the LTRG will be to set up logistics and plan for the supervision of long-term recovery activities, including identifying resources in addition to donations available from the Tri-County Flood Relief Fund.
Financial assistance is not the only type of aid the group intends to provide.
“Identifying current housing options for residents with immediate housing needs is an important aspect of the group, as well as working with local agencies and volunteer groups to determine where, and how, donated or reduced-cost building materials and labor may be used by affected residents,” Shumake said. “The LTRG also plans to help with rebuilding assessments of damaged homes.”
Volunteer help is a major asset to families needing assistance rebuilding, removing debris or other major projects. A volunteer task force will be formed to connect volunteer groups with those that need assistance.
“Being the logistical link between local or national volunteer groups and the residents who need donated physical labor will be a major focus,” said United Way of Sumter, Clarendon and Lee Counties President Mindy Popovich.
United Way has agreed to take on the role of fiscal agent for the Long Term Recovery Fund.
“Already, many individuals and businesses have generously donated to help local residents. The fund will be administered by the Long Term Recovery Group, and 100 percent of the funds will be used for flood recovery in Sumter, Clarendon, and Lee counties,” said Popovich.
In addition to donations already received, the LTRG will be seeking donations and grants to aid in recovery efforts.
“Securing resources throughout the area to help residents affected by the floods to find mental and emotional support while rebuilding and recovering is of the utmost value and will be addressed in this group,” Shumake added. “Finally, creating a sense of community resiliency and engagement is an important role after a disaster of this magnitude. Creating a vision for how to rebuild our communities stronger and better including cultural landmarks, business community, nonprofits, parks and other community infrastructure is part of the long-term recovery plan.”
Donations may be made to the Tri-County Flood Relief Fund online at www.uwaysumter.org/flood-relief-information, or by mailing a contribution marked for flood relief to United Way, 215 N. Washington St., Sumter, SC 29150.
