PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 18, 2014

Contact: Shelley Epstein
309-370-9188
shelleyrepstein@yahoo.com

Terry Bibo
309-657-3445
terri.bibo.freelance@gmail.com

RECOVERY EFFORT LAUNCHES NEW PHASE WITH McCORMICK FUNDING

WASHINGTON, Ill. -- Thanks in part to a $500,000 grant from The Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Tri-County Long Term Recovery has opened a centralized headquarters to help those affected by the November 17 tornadoes.

“New needs come up every day,” said LTR chairman Jim Fassino. “Now we have a place to address them as simply as possible.”

The Chicago-based McCormick Foundation provided LTR the grant from its Illinois Tornado Relief Effort to assist in the massive cleanup and healing process, which is expected to take up to two years. The funds can be used for a wide variety of needs, from dumpsters to volunteer meals. In addition to the LTR grant, the $1 billion McCormick Foundation contributed $150,000 to the Salvation Army, money which has already been used for direct financial assistance and disaster case management.

“We applaud and support Long Term Recovery's efforts to strengthen disaster coordination for families impacted by the recent tornado,” said David Hiller, McCormick Foundation President and CEO. “They not only provide families with the physical resources needed to rebuild their lives, they offer them hope on the road to recovery.”

The grant, held at the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, created the opportunity to open an office in the Sunnyland Washington Plaza where caseworkers can meet with clients who have unmet needs caused by the November tornadoes. Caseworkers from the Red Cross, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army and other social service agencies now have a central location at the LTR Center to meet with clients and coordinate their assistance. The LTR Center opened today.

LTR is a not-for-profit organization -- an umbrella committee designed to streamline the lengthy healing process after a major disaster. It was created after the spring floods of 2013 in Central Illinois, but kicked into high gear with the mammoth tornadoes later that year. The idea is make recovery as painless as possible for those impacted, volunteers and social service agencies that are providing assistance. One caseworker handles a family's needs from beginning to end; one database is easily accessible; one group called the funders' forum meets once a month to resolve unmet needs, if at all possible.

It can be a daunting task. When LTR called a meeting on Nov. 18, the day after the tornadoes destroyed and damaged more than 1,100 homes throughout Tazewell County, hundreds of people volunteered to help the hundreds of people who needed assistance. Immediate emergency response was well underway by federal, state and local officials, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army Heartland Division, churches, businesses, and individual donors. As LTR members learned from the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and those affected by the Joplin tornadoes, coordination is vital and duplication is avoidable.

A large number of churches, social service organizations, community groups, individuals and businesses are participating in LTR to provide assistance to aid those affected by the tornadoes. For example, the Caterpillar Foundation provided office furniture and design expertise for the LTR Center.

"We have so many generous donors in Central Illinois and beyond,” said CFCI CEO Mark Roberts. “LTR ensures their contributions are used as wisely as possible. The way this group collaborates to make things easier and avoid duplication is one of the big reasons I'm glad to be involved.”

Besides Roberts and Fassino, president of First Mid Illinois Bank in Peoria, other speakers at the press conference include East Peoria Mayor Dave Mingus, Pekin Mayor Laurie Barra, Washington Mayor Gary Manier; Gregory Folley, vice president of remanufacturing and components at Caterpillar Inc. and board chair of the Red Cross, Central Illinois Chapter; and Salvation Army Captain Katherine Clausell.

LTR is a temporary organization, which is intended to become dormant when this phase of recovery is complete.

The LTR Center will be open daily by appointment at 2275 Washington Road in the Sunnyland Washington Plaza. Those needing aid can contact a caseworker at the LTR Center at 309.696.6923.