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Donations dwindling for tornado victims

By Lindsay Slater
The Times-Journal

Published May 28, 2009

Agencies helping in response to the April tornado that caused extensive damage in Sylvania and Powell are experiencing hardships of their own.

The Upper Sand Mountain Parish, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross say donations are very low, if existent at all.

“We really haven’t received anything specific to the tornado in several weeks,” Upper Sand Mountain Parish Director Tayna Rains said. “We stopped receiving donations.”

Rains said the parish has received less than 10 percent of what they received after the Pisgah tornado last year.

“The economy is very different right now,” Rains said.

DeKalb Emergency Management Agency Director Mike Leath revealed to the DeKalb County Commission on Tuesday that President Barack Obama denied the county individual assistance, which would help those who are under insured or have no insurance to rebuild.

The state is appealing the president’s decision.

“A lot of people are waiting to see what FEMA will do, and that may not happen,” Leath said.

Rains said there could be a surge in people asking for help if the decision to deny assistance is upheld.

“If the declaration is denied, we are going to see a lot of other people coming forward wanting help,” Rains said.

Rains said the parish does everything from providing clothing, food and household items like furniture and appliances.

Rains said being able to provide those things is becoming harder.

“I’m not able to get them new appliances at this time, and we are just having to take what we have and sometimes we just don’t have what they need,” Rains said. “It’s going to be very hard if we don’t get the assistance.”

Rains said there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“Even if FEMA still denies us, there is a chance that we could still get low-interest (Small Business Administration) loans,” Rains said.

Rains said SBA loans would help in the rebuilding process for those with little or no insurance.

“They were available after the Pisgah tornado and not many people took advantage of it,” Rains said. “I think they didn’t want to go through the process of applying for one.”

Rains said that whether the individual assistance is granted or denied, people will still have to apply for an SBA loan to receive grant money.

“I urge everyone to take advantage of the loans,” Rains said.

Salvation Army Director Nancy Cobble said she is having a hard time as well.

“During the first three weeks after the Pisgah tornado, we received over $5,000,” Cobble said. “Since the Sylvania tornado, we’ve received about $500.”

Cobble said the organization is at the point where they can’t help any more than providing emergency assistance.

“We just don’t have the resources available,” Cobble said. “It’s been a real struggle.”

Marcia Stone-Bullock lives in Sylvania and said she and her family are fortunate to have insurance.

“We feel very blessed that we are going to be able to figure out what to do,” Bullock said. “There are some that aren’t as fortunate that really need help.”

Bullock said there are still neighbors helping neighbors and urges communities to help where they can.

“If there’s anything anyone can do to help, please call an organization like the Upper Sand Mountain Parish, Salvation Army, DeKalb Baptist Association or the Red Cross,” Bullock said. “Everyone needs to be aware there are still a lot of things that people need.”

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