Communities Partner to Rebuild Northeast Alabama
Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama meets $100,000 matching challenge for tornado recovery
Anniston, Ala. Sept. 14, 2011-Following the deadly April 27 storms, concerned and caring community members quickly organized efforts to rebuild the lives and homes that were destroyed. With the support of generous communities, The Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama reached a $100,000, dollar-per-dollar matching challenge to provide financial support to the organizations assisting the residents of Calhoun, Cherokee, DeKalb and Etowah counties.
“We are excited to announce today that in just a few short weeks the challenge has been met and slightly exceeded,” said Jennifer S. Maddox, president and CEO of the Foundation. “The Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama is touched to see how the community has embraced this challenge. Contributions are still being accepted for the Recovery Fund as the total unmet needs reached over $18 million and assistance is still needed to rebuild the counties of Calhoun, Cherokee, DeKalb and Etowah counties.”
On Aug. 11, The Patterson Foundation in Sarasota, Fla., issued a $100,000 match, challenging northeast Alabama to match dollar-for-dollar the $100,000 so that $200,000 would be raised for tornado recovery. The challenge - to inspire philanthropy and generosity – was offered to provide funds to nonprofit agencies, religious organizations and public entities that provide long-term disaster recovery assistance to communities in Northeast Alabama.
“We are committed to relieving the impact of crisis during natural and manmade disasters,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “With the success of this matching challenge, these caring communities demonstrated many times over that they are generous and committed to making a difference.”
The matching funds will be used to seed a tornado relief fund benefiting Calhoun, Cherokee, DeKalb and Etowah counties. Understanding that recovery after a natural disaster may take years, the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama will serve as a conduit to receive donations and disburse grants to aid in recovery.
“As a community foundation, part of our job is to be a convener, an advocate to help those in need within our service community,” Maddox said. Your support is still needed. To contribute to the Tornado Recovery Fund, please visit the donate now online button on this page or mail your donation to Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama, P. O. Box 1826, Anniston, Alabama, 36202.
