Non-Profit Agencies Receive Ice Storm Grants from United Way
RELIEF BENEFICIARIES: The Tulsa Area United Way, together with Tulsa Community Foundation and Bank of Oklahoma, awarded $750,000 to local non-profit organizations in-need following December’s ice storm. Those benefiting included organizations such as Family and Children Services, Owasso Community Resources and Volunteers of America.From left are Jeneatte North, Owasso Community Resources; John Self, Volunteers of America; Phil Lakin, Jr., Tulsa Community Foundation; Carol Foley, Community Food Bank; Jim Lyall, 2-1-1; Jennifer Barcus-Schofer, Rebuilding Tulsa Together; and Mark Graham, Tulsa Area United Way.
MIRANDA ENZOR for GTR Newspapers
The Ice Storm Relief Fund, established by the Tulsa Area United Way, Tulsa Community Foundation and Bank of Oklahoma, announced approximately $750,000 has been awarded to non-profits which helped people with ice storm-related hardships.
Members of the TAUW Community Investment Committee and Tulsa Community Foundation reviewed proposals to consider requests to assist agencies in covering unexpected operating costs, as well as expenses related to direct services for those affected by the storm, such as shelter, food, home repair, health, mental health and other disaster relief and emergency assistance services. Special emphasis was placed on services for low-income, single-parent, elderly, disabled and other special needs populations. The total request assistance amount was just under $1.6 million. Of the approximately $750,000 in ice storm relief funds awarded, 65 percent was awarded for direct services, 19 percent for organizations’ unexpected operating costs and 16 percent for revenue losses incurred by area nonprofits as a direct result of the ice storm.
“Once again, the caring heart and spirit of the Tulsa area is so evident in the generosity of our community in raising such an impressive amount for the Ice Storm Relief Fund,” says Mark R. Graham, President and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way. “Our nonprofit agencies certainly rose to the challenge in responding to the overwhelming needs brought on by the ice storm and we’re very pleased to award these grants to help offset their extraordinary expenses.”
“Reviewing the requests for assistance was a humbling experience – the breadth of the urgent needs was overwhelming. But during it all, I was continually amazed and encouraged by the way our charitable agencies responded to these needs, providing for food, shelter, clothing, weatherhead repair, debris removal, and so much more,” says Phil Lakin, Jr., Executive Director of Tulsa Community Foundation. “We say that we care for one another, and we proved it once again during this storm.”
The Ice Storm Relief Fund will remain in effect as long as necessary to serve those who are in need. Donations may be made in person or by mail at Tulsa Community Foundation, 7030 S. Yale Ave., Suite 600, Tulsa, Okla., 74136.
The Tulsa Area United Way is in its 84th year of service to the Tulsa area. Last year, the United Way’s 65 agencies served more than 700,000 people in six counties. TAUW is one of the most cost-effective nonprofits with approximately 90 cents of every dollar going directly to people in need.
The largest community foundation in America, Tulsa Community Foundation is a tax-exempt, public charity organized in 1998 to be the recognized, community-owned organization that initiates, teaches and encourages personal and corporate charitable giving today to ensure the philanthropic needs of Oklahoma can be met for all generations.
Updated 02-25-2008
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