LTR Macon Co., Letter to Editor

We in the Long Term Recovery of Macon County (LTRMC) are aware that some misinformation and concerns have been circulating recently. The general public's current perception appears to be that there has been a VAST amount of money donated and that ALL donations and monies generated for the tornado survivors have come to and and are being held by the LTRMC. This perception is not based on facts.

Not all recovery funds and services have come to or through the LTRMC. All monies donated to tornado survivors through the 3 local banks have remained at those banks. Although the 3 banks have participated in the LTRMC organization since its inception, the banks have continued to use their own process for disseminating the monies themselves. The LTRMC has had no involvement in how much money was donated to the banks, how the monies were distributed, or how much money is left. The LTRMC has received no monies from any of the banks to date. We are grateful that all 3 local banks have recently decided to meet with the LTRMC as needs are confirmed to consider providing funds on a case-by-case basis.

The Jett Williams Fund monies gained from the Jett Williams Concert were set up for management by the Jett Williams Fund which planned to have no connection with the LTRMC. However, they have recently decided to make these funds available to the LTRMC on a case-by-case basis. The first portion of these monies was used for a case this past week.

Most of the funds that have come to the LTRMC have mostly been from churches, some organizations, and grants. The LTRMC has received start-up grants and donations which were specifically for the operation of the organization (electric and phone bills, office supplies, etc.) Since everyone working with the LTRMC is a volunteer, there are no salary or wage expenses. Therefore, all other monies received by the LTRMC have gone and will go directly for the benefit of the tornado families.

The LTRMC uses the following financial processes. The signature of more than one officer is required for each LTRMC expenditure. All case expenditures must be committee approved and then confirmed by the LTRMC organizational body. Copies of all minutes are regularly sent to LTRMC members. Financial actions are presented in writing to the LTRMC membership for approval. The LTRMC truly tries to make the dollars they have been given stretch by referring some needs to other organizations that can provide, using volunteered labor when possible rather than paying for labor, and utilizing donated or discounted goods and services when available.

The LTRMC was designed to assist families with their remaining needs AFTER insurance, FEMA, Red Cross, and the family's resources were utilized. The LTRMC has expected that most of its efforts would be in assisting the estimated 40-70 households with the least resources or ability to recover without assistance.

The LTRMC determined that the primary focus of the organization should be to restore affected citizens to a habitable home comparable to the one they had before the disaster as much as funds and resources permit. Following the disaster many families have understandably chosen to build larger and sturdier homes with upgraded furnishings and appliances than the homes or mobile homes they had before the tornado. The LTRMC in its decisions has to focus its efforts on trying to restore essential living space and essential furnishings and fixtures not exceeding those in the previous home given the limited funds and resources available.

The LTRMC was organized and established between Feb. 25 and March 25. In the 27 weeks since the tornado, the LTRMC volunteers have had 24 meetings in an effort to provide various benefits to the disaster victims.

More than 25 families beginning at the end of March have been provided a variety of free labor by the LTRMC's coordination of over 300 volunteers from approximately 20 organizations providing a few thousand hours of service. More than $50,000 in vouchers to assist 20 families with rebuilding efforts has already been approved through the funding coordination of the LTRMC. A number of cases are currently being processed for assistance by the LTRMC. Other assistance, referrals, and coordination too numerous to mention have been provided by the LTRMC in the last 4-5 months.

As the LTRMC has worked with more and more tired and frustrated victims who are reaching the end of their resources and as new situations and needs have been encountered that were not anticipated when the original guidelines for the organization were formed, it has become apparent that some of the original rather general guidelines recommended to the LTRMC and adopted by the organization need to be clarified and adjusted. Some things need to be more specific yet flexible enough to provide the assistance needed for each individual case. Any of these changes made must be the result of a group effort and, when approved, must be communicated to all staff. This is no different than any other organization. You live and learn and adjust.

The LTRMC has been and will be doing its best to help everyone it can as quickly as it can within the resources that it has. Everyone working with the LTRMC DOES CARE and does what he/she can to help. (If we didn't care, we wouldn't be volunteering our time!)

LTRMC Executive Committee