For Immediate Release
April 19, 2024
CONTACT: Ryan Shackelford, Director, Portage County Emergency Management Agency, rshackelford@portageco.com, 330-297-3607
HELPING WINDHAM TORNADO VICTIMS; PORTAGE COUNTY EMA,
PORTAGE FOUNDATION LAUNCH COUNTY DISASTER RELIEF FUND
Looking for a way to help the community of Windham after this week’s devastating tornado? Please consider a monetary donation to the newly-created Portage County Disaster Relief Fund through the Portage Foundation.
An EF1 tornado ripped through farm and residential areas of Windham Township on April 17, damaging numerous homes and displacing families.
The Portage Foundation has teamed up with the Portage County Emergency Management Agency to form the Portage County Disaster Relief Fund. The foundation will be the hub that accepts all monetary donations in the event of large-scale disasters affecting Portage County citizens.
Portage County EMA Director Ryan Shackelford said the Windham community will be notified when the application process for funding for persons impacted by the tornado opens, which he estimates will start in several weeks once residents have some idea of their financial condition.
Donations to the Portage County Disaster Relief Fund will be accepted via credit card through the foundation website at: https://portagefoundation.org/pcdrf/ or through the foundation’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PortageFoundation.
Checks may be made payable to the “The Portage Foundation” with a designation to “Windham Tornado.” Mail checks to The Portage Foundation, P.O. Box 623, Kent, OH 44240. Cash or check donations may also be dropped off at Portage Community Bank branches in the name of the Portage County Disaster Relief Fund. Find the bank locations here: https://www.pcbbank.com/about/locations-hours.html.
The fund’s Donations Coordinating Team will provide direct payments to residents who go through an application process. Payments will be based on need. The team will be comprised of representatives from The Portage Foundation, the impacted area, Portage County EMA, Portage County Jobs and Family Services and other volunteer organizations. The non-profit foundation will receive five percent for administration of the fund and distributing donations.
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