OTSEGO — The Center for Disaster Philanthropy awarded a $100,000 grant to the Otsego Community Foundation which assisted in the recovery process following the EF3 Tornado that struck Gaylord in May 2022.
According to an Oct. 11 news release, the town’s recovery is a lengthy process. The last construction project from the May 20, 2022, tornado was completed in mid-August.
This concluded the final initiative supported by Gaylord Long Term Recovery Group that was supported by a variety of donors, plus a grant from CDP. CDP’s gift supported Disaster Case Managers (DCM), a Disaster Recovery Coordinator and capacity building at OCF.
“If individuals are wondering how to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene & Milton consider a gift to the CDP who are providing resources to community-based organizations to address medium and long-term recovery needs,” Executive Director of OCF Dana Bensinger said.
CDP mobilizes philanthropy to strengthen communities’ ability to withstand disasters and recover equitably when they occur. It provides expert advice and resources while managing domestic and international disaster funds on behalf of corporations, foundations, and individuals through targeted, holistic, and localized grantmaking.
“CDP is pleased to support the Gaylord Long Term Recovery Group as they helped the community through the recovery process from the tornado,” the Director of Domestic Funds at CDP Sally Ray said. “We’re grateful to the Otsego Community Foundation for their partnership.”
During the first year of recovery, DCM representatives assisted and vetted survivors to connect them to local, state, and federal resources. Because of support from organizations like CDP.
“Survivors were not alone and were connected with the long-term recovery group to feel supported,” DCM Supervisor Katie Vokal said. “The collaboration locally, statewide and across the United States between the nonprofits, businesses, and neighbors ensured Gaylord came back stronger than before.”
Here is a snapshot of how their grant allowed Otsego County to have the capacity to get the recovery ball rolling over the past 24 months:
- During intermediate and long-term recovery (August 2022 to August 2024) $600,000 was spent on 45 survivor families needing to rebuild, repair, or relocate their homes to start life over post-disaster.
- Thirty-five additional families participated in the Disaster Case Management process receiving referrals to local human service agencies and/or support less than $1,200 (e.g., replacing furniture damaged in a tornado, helping dispose of debris in the yard, security deposit for a new apartment).
- $828,000 was granted to nonprofit organizations to case manage, shelter, and rebuild, build, relocate and/or repair homes and automobiles for survivors.
“Our hearts and minds can’t help being with the survivors, victims, volunteers, first responders, and all of those impacted by Helene and Milton. The destruction is nauseating,” GLTRG Disaster Recovery Coordinator Erin Mann said. “It makes the appreciation for those who walked on this journey with us deeper. Helping survivors recover has been incredibly meaningful work.”
One of the most impactful projects completed by OCF, OCUW, the GLTRG, Otsego Antrim Habitat for Humanity and CDP was the completion of Gaylord resident Dave Boughner’s home. Boughner was one of those severely injured by the May 20, 2022 tornado in Otsego County.
While only in his forties, Boughner had spent most of his adult life working for a Gaylord landscaping company Sadly, he has not regained the use of his legs post-tornado to get back to work.
Boughner’s wife Jennifer and two minor children have had to learn a new way of life. This is where local community members and organizations stepped up to help. Earlier this summer Boughnwe signed the deed to his new home.
At the beginning of the project, Boughner called attention to the powerful quote from Stevie Wonder, “We need to make every single thing accessible to every single person with a disability.”
“This new house will give me more independence to live an easier life,” Boughner said. “Our family will be forever grateful for the generosity of our wonderful community.”
“As we transition, we have become increasingly aware that inclement weather is only going to become more common,” Besinger said. “The gift from CDP over the past two years has given us the opportunity and capacity to put efforts into preparation and mitigation during these ‘blue sky’ times. Knowing that the disaster is not over when the cleanup is done, and the question is not if another disaster will happen, but when?”