By ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With the Cottonwood fire nearly two weeks in the past, the gears are shifting in the recovery from immediate needs to long-term solutions. The VOAD and United Way continue to work to assist families where needed.
“We’re starting to get into the long-term recovery portion of this disaster,” United Way Director Lisa Gleason said. “It’s going to start with cleaning off properties for those families to determine whether they’re going to rebuild or whether they’re going to relocate.”
Gleason says the goal of the VOAD and United Way is to simply be alongside in the recovery where needed.
“Our goal is to walk alongside them and fill in the gaps,” Gleason said. “So if they’re insured, what is their insurance not covering? If they are under-insured or not insured, how can we help support them?”
Gleason says VOAD and the United Way will be on-site Saturday to help victims with the start of the recovery process.
“We are starting to do some work now on the sites where the properties have been lost,” Gleason said. “Reno County VOAD will be out there on Saturday with a canteen for food for those who are out working, trying to get their properties recovered.”
Gleason says they are working with each victim of the fire on a case-by-case basis, knowing that each need is different.
“Some of it is just making sure they’re connected to the resources they need,” Gleason said. “We do case management with every single family who wants our assistance."
The Volunteer Center of Reno County is putting together a list of groups, organizations or individuals who would like to help with the cleanup of the area. Three dates during the month of April will be announced for those cleanup events soon. Until then, the United Way is still taking monetary donations for the relief fund. You can go to unitedwayofrenocounty.org or stop by 924 N. Main in Hutchinson, or mail it to that address.