United Way of El Dorado and El Dorado Community Foundation collaborate for flood assistance
Nikole Babb, nbabb@cherryroad.com
The United Way of El Dorado and El Dorado Community Foundation are collaborating to distribute funds to those affected by the June flooding events. Funds can be requested through two organizations in El Dorado.
The two local nonprofits are working with the City of El Dorado to identify needs in the community related to the June flooding events. Two organizations have stepped forward to assist in distributing the funds donated to the United Way of El Dorado and the El Dorado Community Foundation.
“Along with our donors, our role is to make sure that individuals, families, and service providers have the resources they need to respond, lessening their financial burden,” said Tabitha Sharp, Assistant City Manager & El Dorado Community Foundation Board Member. “Our ultimate goal is to help our beloved community respond, recover, and build resiliency in response to this disaster.”
Individuals and families affected by the flood can contact the Salvation Army and Community Aid Network, a ministry within the First Baptist Church, to apply for financial assistance. Each organization is able to distribute funds for different things.
The Salvation Army will distribute funds for rent and mortgage assistance or other bill assistance.
“We’re excited to be apart of the effort and able to help those affected,” said Cynthia Magruder, Director of Salvation Army Ministry and Operations. “We have a generous community and we’re glad to be part of that.”
The Community Aid Network will distribute funds for other needs such as home clean up assistance, appliance purchases, etc.
Each distribution will be on a case-by-case basis and given for specified needs identified by the individuals or families. Each household can receive $1,500 in financial aid.
The aid is not a loan and will not have to be paid back to the organizations. The aid was gathered from community donations including private, public and citizen donations. The United Way of El Dorado received $30,000 from HF Sinclair that is being distributed. The El Dorado Community Foundation received $45,000 from donations.
“HF Sinclair has consistently shown incredible generosity—not just to United Way of El Dorado, but to the entire community,” said Tyffani Herrman, Executive Director of the United Way of El Dorado. “Their support during the flood relief effort is just the latest example of their commitment to stepping up when our neighbors need it most. We are proud to call them our top donor, and deeply grateful for their partnership and the compassion of their employees.”
Flood damages are estimated to be over $2 million in the City of El Dorado alone. These funds are only available to residents of El Dorado that were affected by the floods.
Those interested in applying for aid can visit the First Baptist Church at 315 W Central Ave in El Dorado or call 316-452-5686 or by visiting the Salvation Army at 207 W First Ave in El Dorado or by calling 316-321-4070 or by filling out the online form at this link. Sharable link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqukSu5vXTwuzWN5tn4HKcvS35iIOgO02KjTDcVEUzkYe3Dg/viewform
Donations to the United Way of El Dorado can be made online here.
Donations to the El Dorado Community Foundation can be made online here.
