Operations Update: Hurricane Ida, Kentucky tornado, Midwest Derecho
We want to thank all who have reached out to us in the past week. You have asked how to support the communities devastated over the weekend by the tornado in Kentucky and adjacent states, and the derecho that impacted the upper Midwest this week. Your concern and willingness to help are much needed during this difficult time. We are inspired by your collective thoughtfulness and compassion as we continue providing comfort and hope to those in desperate need of support and consider how to do more.
Our operations team, stationed outside of New Orleans, LA, continues to assist those affected by the category 4 Hurricane Ida in September. As of December 12, 2021, NECHAMA has partnered with IOCC, AmeriCorps, and numerous individual and group volunteers to work on 36 homes. In total, they have logged 5,521 hours of service in the field. After months of assistance, there still is an incredible need in Louisiana. Our team made a commitment to the community to stay through March 2022. Please consider joining our efforts financially or by volunteering on the ground. Visit our Hurricane Ida page to learn more.
For communities in Kentucky and the upper Midwest, first response organizations that provide emergency, search and rescue, and sheltering services are currently on the ground. We are in close contact with the State VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster) organizations and community leaders in the affected areas. At this time, we are assessing the need and our currently-available resources to determine the best way to move forward.
As we determine next steps, please partner with us by donating to our General Fund. Your donation allows us to do more – including providing desperately needed assistance in multiple locations in response to separate incidents. You can rest assured that the funds will go towards helping communities recover, be it in Louisiana, Kentucky, or future locations. Undoubtedly, we will continue experiencing more and more of these unprecedented disasters. The comfort and hope we can provide are only limited by the resources that are available.
To those who already have contributed to our year-end appeal, we thank you for your support. Working to help people in desperate need across the country is a great privilege and is critically important. Because of your support, you provide resources that allow hope and comfort to once again be possible for the families we meet.