First Selectman Mike Tetreau and Operation Hope Executive Director Carla Miklos announced today that the American Red Cross has awarded Operation Hope and the Fairfield Storm Sandy Recovery Committee with a $150,000 grant to help augment local resources for the on-going recovery effort.
First Selectman Tetreau said, “On behalf of our neighbors who continue to struggle to recover from Storm Sandy we are deeply grateful to the American Red Cross for its generous support.”
The grant to Operation Hope will help the Fairfield Long Term Recovery Committee work with Fairfield residents affected by Sandy to provide small grants to assist with home repairs and mitigation; appliance and furniture replacement; emergency rental assistance; storage fees; trimming and removal of trees; and costs related to elevation of homes.
“More than a year after Sandy’s landfall, many people continue to feel the impact of the storm,” said Mario Bruno, American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region CEO. “The Red Cross, with the help of generous donors, has been able to work with affected families, communities and partner organizations to guide people on the path to recovery.”
Ms. Miklos said, “We applied for these additional funds to help the Town reach more people affected by the storm. We hope that those who read this will let their friends and neighbors know that the funds exist to help them with their unmet needs.”
In the immediate aftermath of Storm Sandy, the Town of Fairfield and Operation Hope created a Fairfield Storm Sandy Relief Fund to provide disaster relief for Fairfield residents affected by Storm Sandy. A committee of concerned citizens and representatives from the Town of Fairfield was established to review and approve applications for financial assistance. To date, the Fund has raised and distributed more than $250,000 thanks to the many generous donors who have stepped forward to help the Fairfield community.
The Fairfield Storm Sandy Relief Fund is still accepting applications for assistance from Fairfield residents who have been impacted by Storm Sandy. Funds have been used to assist residents with storm-related expenses not covered by insurance or other government program and have included items like replacement appliances, clothing, basement clean-up, mold remediation, and new mattresses and box springs. For questions or further information about the Fairfield Storm Sandy Relief Fund, please call Brenda Lobdell at Operation Hope at 203-292-5588, ext. 234.
Community and Economic Development Director Mark Barnhart, a member of the Committee, said, “Unfortunately, there are still people who are struggling to rebuild in the wake of this devastating storm. We know it’s been a difficult and frustrating experience for many, and we’re here to provide whatever assistance we can.”
Superstorm Sandy is the largest U.S. operation by the Red Cross in more than five years, and thanks to the public’s generous support, the Red Cross has received $309 million in donations for Sandy emergency relief and recovery efforts. As of December 31, the Red Cross has spent or committed $287 million – nearly 93 percent of the donated funds.
In addition to Operation Hope, the Red Cross has partnered with and funded numerous community-based organizations to support the recovery of individuals and families in Connecticut. These partners include CT Rises, the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, United Way of Milford, United Way of Coastal Fairfield County and North Walke Housing Corporation, as well as other state and national organizations. Superstorm Sandy recovery efforts focus on the areas of housing repair assistance, relocation assistance, case management and hazard mitigation.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or follow us on Twitter at @RedCrossNY.
About Operation Hope:
Operation Hope addresses the basic needs for food and shelter, as well as offering long-term solutions to hunger and homelessness, including affordable housing, life skills training and personalized clinical support. They work toward the goal of self-sufficiency because they envision a time when every person in our community has supportive relationships, hope for the future, and a place to call home.
The photo shows from left to right: First Selectman Mike Tetreau, Operation Hope Board Chair Michael Rosten and Fairfield Community and Economic Development Director Mark Barnhart.