Storm Response 2011
United Way Assists with Area Storm Recovery

Click here for the 211 Disaster Services Update

In the aftermath of the tornadoes that recently ravaged communities in our area, United Way of Greater Chattanooga was there, connecting people to resources and working with volunteers and partners to begin rebuilding communities:

• United Way’s 2-1-1 answered nearly 1,400 storm-related calls for help.  2-1-1 was also on the ground assessing needs and connecting storm victims to services.
  
• United Way's 2-1-1 worked with local churches to coordinate the purchase extra food vouchers for disaster victims.
  
• United Way’s Volunteer Center matched more than 1,200 volunteers to opportunities for service, including brush and debris removal for families in need.  
  
• United Way engaged local businesses like ACE Hardware, which sent nearly $12,000 of supplies to help the recovery effort in Trenton, Ga.

Working through community partners, United Way has distributed more than $94,000 in disaster aid so far. These funds were used to provide immediate needs like food, medicine, diapers, gas cards and more.

We continue to help people through our community partners with long-term needs like financial crises, transitional housing, furniture, counseling and other services.

Breakdown of Storm Services
Services provided through United Way community partners (by area) 

Total disaster fund distributions (as of September, 2011): 
$94,872.84  

Volunteer Services

United Way's Volunteer Center has connected more than 1,200 individuals to storm-related volunteer opportunities.  The Center also connected corporations such as Unum, SunTrust, Regions, First Tennessee, TVA, Volkswagen, ACE Hardware, Westinghouse, and Thrivent Financial to disaster-related volunteer opportunities.  Additionally, Volunteer Center staff compiled and sent a weekly volunteer opportunities listing to our corporate volunteer mailing list, and worked with many church, civic, nonprofits, and other associations and groups to assist the recovery volunteer effort.

United Way's Volunteer Center is helping to connect callers referred through United Way’s 2-1-1 Call Center to volunteers to assist with debris and tree cleanup.  The Center has assisted 100 residents through referrals to volunteers, and 10 of the neediest and most complicated to long term case management. Approximately 50 residents still remain on the list, and will be connected to volunteers as they become available.  Individuals and groups wanting to volunteer should contact Windy Brooks @ 423-752-0316 or windybrooks@uwchatt.org