An emergency fund has been set up at the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties to help property owners with damage from the tornado in Clark Mills and severe thunderstorms June 22.
The storms killed three people, including 6-year-old twins, and caused widespread damages to homes and buildings.
The fund was created through a partnership between the foundation and Oneida County. A similar fund was created last year to help victims of the tornado that touched down in Rome on July 16.
“In the wake of such heartbreaking devastation, we are reminded of the deep strength and compassion that unite us as a community,” said Alicia Dicks, the foundation’s president/CEO. “Our friends in the Town of Kirkland and the surrounding areas are facing unimaginable loss, and they need us — every one of us — now more than ever. This fund is more than financial support; it’s a lifeline of hope and a step toward healing for the lives and neighborhoods torn apart by this storm.”
Anyone who wants to contribute to the fund, whether as an individual, institution or company, can do so online on the Community Foundation website or by mailing a check to the Community Foundation, 2608 Genesee St., Utica, NY 13502.
Questions on corporate giving or any kind of gift options can be emailed to Nick Grimmer, chief development officer, at ngrimmer@foundationhoc.org.
Loved ones have started fundraisers on GoFundMe for Kayleigh Bisson, the mother of twins Emily and Kenni who were killed when a tree fell on their home, and for Shelly Johnson, 50, who was also killed when a tree fell on her home.
By late afternoon on June 24, the Bisson fundraiser had raised $302,525 toward a $380,000 goal with one donation of $10,000.
A GoFundMe fundraiser for Johnson’s long-time partner Eddie had raised $26,440 toward a $30,000 goal by late afternoon on June 24. A second fundraiser on GoFundMe, which simply says it is collecting money for Johnson’s family to cover funeral and other expenses, has raised $1,650 toward a $9,000 goal. That fundraiser says that Johnson worked at Boscov’s.
Affected residents may be eligible for up to $5,000 in funding. But Oneida County and the Community Foundation are still working out details of how that fund will be distributed to those who need help in the area of Clark Mills and the Town of Kirkland.
“Oneida County is here to help in every way possible,” Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr. said. “Like last year’s Rome Victim Recovery Fund, this assistance will help our residents recover from the damages of June 22’s tornado and storms . . . As always, we will get through this together — and be stronger for it.”
Residents can begin the application process by calling Oneida County on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at (315) 798-5502 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to begin the application process.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: New fund for property owners with damage from Clark Mills tornado, nearby storms
Reporting by Amy Neff Roth, Utica Observer Dispatch / Observer-Dispatch
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