From: "Joselyn Santiago" <jsantiago@lancasterconference.org>
Date: Mar 3, 2016 3:30 PM
Subject: Mennonite Disaster Service News Release: Lancaster County Tornado Update
To: "Joselyn Santiago" <jsantiago@lancasterconference.org>
Cc:
For Immediate Release
March 3, 2016
Contact: Mark Beach
Lancaster County Tornado Update
More than 7,000 volunteers helped in cleanup, more funds still needed.
By Mark Beach
During the week after a tornado swept through Salisbury Township in Lancaster County, PA, more than 7,000 volunteers helped in the cleanup and rebuilding efforts. Storm Aid, the Lancaster County Amish disaster response group, organized the volunteer response through the White Horse Fire Company. Most of the volunteers came from the local Amish community.
A local recovery committee, the White Horse Storm Recovery Committee, was established the day after the storm and began accepting donations for materials to rebuild and repair the nearly 30 structures damaged or destroyed by the tornado. The group asked Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) to collect funds under the name of Lancaster County Tornado Fund. All funds will be forwarded to the recovery committee by MDS.
During the first week 7,050 volunteers completed much of the cleanup work. Storm Aid officials expect most of the repair and rebuilding to be completed within 3-4 weeks. As of Wednesday, only one family had not returned to their home.
In all, the tornado damaged or destroyed seven homes; two Amish school houses, six barns, a greenhouse and several storage and tool sheds.
By late Wednesday afternoon March 2, MDS collected nearly $40,000 in funds earmarked for the recovery effort. The recovery committee said more funds are needed. The group would like to reach $200,000, which would not only cover the cost of materials for rebuilding but the removal of debris from the cleanup.
The recovery committee will be assessing the needs of those who suffered damage to their property as a result of the tornado and will be distributing funds based on need.
Funds exceeding the need of the survivors of the tornados will be used for disaster relief work as later determined by the recovery committee.
Please send monetary donations to:
Mennonite Disaster Service
583 Airport Road
Lititz, PA 17543
Make Checks Payable to: "Mennonite Disaster Service" writing in the memo line "Lancaster County Tornado".
Or make a donation online at:
http://mds.mennonite.net/online-giving/
Under "Please use my donation for:" click "Lancaster County Tornado".
White Horse Fire Company and Storm Aid contact:
Sam Stoltzfus, (717) 201-0339
