Philanthropy WV Assisting with Flood Recovery Response

wv floodd

In response to the devastating floods in West Virginia, many friends, neighbors and leaders across the country are asking how they can help our citizens and communities recover. We provide this page to connect you with the variety of resources to volunteer, donate, and provide immediate and long-term recovery assistance. A great national resource to use for disaster recovery and developed by our peers in New Jersey following Hurricane Sandy is the Disaster Philanthropy Playbook which you can access here: http://disasterplaybook.org

TO STAY UPDATED WEEKLY:

As long-term investments are needed for the rebuilding and recovery, we have setup a listserve for all those wanting to be updated weekly on Flood Recovery Needs and you can sign up by emailing: info@philanthropywv.org or call 304.517.1450 and ask for Hilaria Swisher.  Additionally, we are hostly monthly #WVFloodRecovery Conference Calls on the first Friday of the month from Noon to 1 PM to update the local, state and national philanthropy (foundations, corporations, federated funds, etc.) community on long-term recovery needs.  You can RSVP to be included on these calls by emailing info@philanthropywv.org. Our conference calls will conclude in January 2017.

As generosity of those near and far has been tremendous in recovery and rebuilding efforts, we want to ensure that donations, investments and support go to those most in need and rebuilding their lives and communities.  We want to report any suspicious solicitations or questionable actions.  IF SUSPECTING QUESTIONABLE CHARITIES or FRAUD, we want to ensure all giving goes directly to the citizens and communities in need so please contact the WV Attorney General’s Office if suspecting any questionable activity at:
  Toll Free – 1-800-368-8808
    Local – 304-558-8986
    E-mail – consumer@wvago.gov

FOR DONATING: 

If you wish to make a donation on the local level in affected counties (100% going to the needs of local citizens and communities), you can do so by checking out this list of Community Foundations and United Ways including:

For STATEWIDE updates and supporting the Statewide Disaster Recovery Fund, visit: https://wvvoad.communityos.org/cms/home The WV Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WVVOAD) “Disaster Recovery Fund” is facilitated by the WV United Methodist Foundation to make giving for needs available.  (Please note names will not be used for solicitation by the United Methodist Foundation nor sold to others). It is available at the link above.  We have been assured that 100% of donations go to serving those in need.

FOR MAKING MAJOR GRANTS: Philanthropy WV’s team is keeping a listing of major needs for long-term recovery and if foundations/corporate giving programs need input or contacts, feel free to contact our office directly at 304.517.1450 or email: paul@philanthropywv.org.

FOR VOLUNTEERING:

  • By County: (Local updates will be made as resources come in)
  • Individual Volunteers: Volunteers should not self-deploy, please stay safe until contacted by a volunteer coordinator.
    • Please register to volunteer at volunteerwv.org.  If you are already volunteering at a local shelter or response operation but are not already registered with another disaster response agency (like the Red Cross), please register using the link on our website and comments with your current volunteer location.
  • GROUP VOLUNTEERS:
    • For agencies with groups of volunteers ready to help (including church groups and student organizations), please register your team on the website at www.volunteerwv.org. You only need to register your team once.

For Agencies who Need Additional Volunteer Support: If your agency needs additional volunteer support to staff shelters, conduct damage assessments or is anticipating other volunteer needs, please contact Gina.L.Namay@wv.gov or 304-558-0111 to complete a volunteer request.

UPDATES from Governor Tomblin’s Office: 

(A) Governor Tomblin Addresses West Virginians on Long-Term Flood Recovery Efforts CLICK HERE 

(B)  Governor Tomblin, Congressional Delegation Announce $3.5 million Grant to Help Workers Following Flooding CLICK HERE

(C) Governor Tomblin Encourages West Virginians to Visit Official State Flood Website for Current Information CLICK HERE

If you have any questions, please contact our office at 304.517.1450 or toll free at 866-567-3457. #WVStrong #PutWV1st Follow us at @PhilanthropyWV (Twitter and Facebook) for updates on need.