HCILTRO - 501c3 Long-Term Recovery for Flood Victims

About Us   Press Release
 

January 10, 2008

 

Press Release from Houston County Interfaith Long-term Recovery Organization

 

Following the floods of August 2007, the Houston Ministerium, a group of pastors in Houston County gathered to consider the needs of those affected by the flood.  From that meeting the Houston County Interfaith Long-term Recovery Organization (HCILTRO) was formed. Other area churches and civic groups were invited to join and status as a 501c3 was sought, that is, a non-profit agency with tax exempt status. 

 

The recovery piece of this organization is to distribute help to meet the “long term unmet needs” of the people in the flood area.  Our main task is to assess the needs of households that sustained damage and loss and connect them to available resources.  This is done through a case worker.  When the resources of FEMA, SBA and MN Quickstart have been exhausted HCILTRO seeks to allocate the funds they can access to meet any “unmet needs”.  This is a long term process and may take up to 3 years to determine the long term affects of the flood. 

 

HCILTRO was also asked to distribute $ 25,000 raised by the group of Houston alumni from the Twin Cities that formed “Root Relief”.  These funds were designated to go to households and businesses in the Houston, Hokah and Brownsville areas.  So far HCILTRO has awarded $ 7,800 in grants to households with unmet needs and $9,000 in grants to businesses from the Root Relief monies.  Businesses in Houston County that sustained losses are encouraged to contact Pastor Jeff Forbes, chair, Pastor Sharon Goetzinger, vice chair or Pastor Louise Stromberg, secretary-treasurer for an application for assistance from the Root Relief funds. 

 

HCILTRO has also received generous gifts from individuals and groups in our area that seek to help their friends and neighbors as they recover from their losses.  We are extremely grateful for the generosity of area residents.  Donations to HCILTRO are tax deductible. 

 

On January 10th, Peg Winters of the United Way presented HCILTRO with $10,000 from the SE MN Flood Recovery Fund to be distributed to households with unmet needs in Houston County.  Those with unmet needs from the August floods are encouraged to contact HCILTRO’s case workers for help in applying by calling 507-864-4212. 

 
 

“Bear one another's burdens,

and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  

Galatians 6:2

 

 

Houston County Interfaith Long-Term Recovery Organization

 

The work continues after the flood disaster in August.  And it will go on for some time.  Red Cross is gone on to other disasters.  FEMA applications have extended their deadline to November 14th. Other groups have remained to help but we need to do something for ourselves in the long term.

That is why the Houston Ministerium, a group of local Pastors, have formed an Interfaith group called the Houston County Interfaith Long-Term Recovery Organization. The Interfaith Group also has representatives from local groups and organizations within Houston County to help with the raising of funds, sharing the names (confidentially) of families hardest hit, and be involved in service projects as the need arises.  By forming this group and incorporating under section 501c3 of the State, donations will be tax deductible and we will have access to more funds and grants to help meet some of the needs of those who suffered damage that was not covered by FEMA or other relief agencies. There are many sources that we will look into to raise these funds.  We will also be asking for local donations.

Please help us.  If you are able to donate at this time, your gift of money is greatly appreciated and we will work hard to get it quickly to those who need it.  Every dollar will be used to help someone affected by the flood.  If you would like to help, you can make your donations to the “Houston County Interfaith Long-Term Recovery Organization” or “HCILTRO” for short.  You may also help us by letting us know if you or someone you know needs help with things not covered by the other agencies.   The money will go first to those hardest hit.

 

Local Churches represented in the Interfaith Group are: Bethany Evangelical Free Church, Cross of Christ Lutheran, Houston Baptist, Looney Valley Lutheran, St. Mary’s Catholic of Houston, Hokah United Methodist Church, South Ridge United Methodist Church, Money Creek United Methodist, and St. Peter’s Catholic of Hokah.  We are also thankful to the local American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, Hoedown Committee, Houston Lions, and Root Relief for all their help.

 

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