Disasters don't discriminate when or where they will strike. There are several ways to help those affected by tragedy to start the recovery process. United Way and our partners are here to help coordinate efforts for recovery and assistance to help in any way we can.
The Lake Martin Area United Way is an active member of VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster), as well as the Coosa and Tallapoosa Long Term Recovery Committees (LTRCs). We also serve as the fiscal agent for these groups. Any monies donated for disaster relief will go toward recovery and rebuild efforts.
Donated funds will be used exclusively for disaster relief and recovery. Our United Way works closely with the LTRCs in both Coosa and Tallapoosa Counties, along with case managers, to determine how and where to dispense funds to best assist those in need following these disasters. Each disaster is unique and funds are carefully used according to the needs of each disaster recovery process.
All donations are tax-deductible as permitted by IRS regulations. The Lake Martin Area United Way is a 501(c)(3) non-profit (tax ID: 63-0888068).
Donations may be made via cash, check, credit card, Venmo (@LakeMartinUW - please indicate disaster recovery if sending via Venmo), or securely online at: https://givebutter.com/UWDisasterRelief (or scan the QR code below)
Please see below and attached for information related to the March 14-16, 2025 storms and tornados.
The American Red Cross is hosting recovery center locations and is offering immediate financial assistance for qualified households from the March 15th storms.
DISASTER ASSISTANCE
- Please encourage disaster survivors affected by the March 14-16 Storms/Tornados to contact their County EMA to report damages and share needs. County EMA Directory: https://ema.alabama.gov/county-ema-directory/
- American Red Cross – Have you been affected by a home fire or other disaster? The Red Cross is here for you. Please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) - 24 hours a day.
Red Cross Recovery Center Locations - Red Cross Offering Immediate Financial Assistance for Qualified Households (March 15 Storms) - This financial assistance will allow people to make their own decisions and prioritize what their family needs most to start recovering. Funds can help families replace clothes or food, offset transportation costs, replace spiritual or religious items, and support other immediate needs such as verified, disaster-caused health and mental health needs. See attached for eligibility details. Flyer is for partner referral use.
This is being shared to help with clients whose homes may have been missed in the damage assessment process.
Alabama Recovery Centers (Updated)
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County |
Dates |
Address |
City |
Hours of operation |
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Tallapoosa |
Wed., Mar. 26 – Fri., Mar. 28 |
Grubhub Market and Grill 1497 Main St |
Jackson’s Gap |
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
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- Home Cleanup: Crisis Cleanup – If you need assistance with damage call 844-965-1386 to register for help or visit crisiscleanup.org. You will be connected with volunteers from disaster relief organizations, community groups and faith -based community partners. Services include: Muck Out, Chainsaw work, Tarping and Debris Removal. Services are free, but not guaranteed due to overwhelming need.
- 2-1-1 Connects Alabama - Need help before, during or after a disaster? Text TXT211 (898211), Dial 2-1-1 or text or call 1-888-421-1266 from anywhere in AL, or visit www.211connectsalabama.org/. Call 7-1-1 if you are hearing-impaired and ask to be connected to 2-1-1 Connects Alabama. If you are an organization providing resources, please call 2-1-1 or call 1-888-421-1266.
- Alabama Rural Coalition for the Homeless (ARCH) - Supports emergency housing needs after a disaster. Call 334-273-0668 or visit https://www.archconnection.org/ and select "Need Help" to complete the online assessment form. ARCH provides supportive and housing (permanent and emergency) services to communities in the following counties: Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Clay, Cleburne, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Cullman, Dale, Dallas, Escambia, Fayette, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Lamar, Lee, Macon, Marengo, Marshall, Monroe, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Randolph, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Walker, Washington, and Wilcox.
DONATE
The Alabama Governor's Emergency Relief Fund (GERF): This fund was created after Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina and continues today to support unmet needs for individuals and families recovering from severe weather in Alabama.
VOLUNTEER
Sign up to volunteer using the survey below or contact the organization directly if you are interested in volunteering. Recovery from a disaster often takes a very long time and volunteers will be needed in the weeks, months, and even years ahead.
- Volunteer Survey: Individuals wishing to volunteer in recovery efforts visit: https://forms.office.com/g/HdqCrAPwvF
- Disaster Responding Groups – Volunteers and Donations Survey: For organizations and agencies that are interested in providing in-kind donations and disaster responding organizations seeking volunteers: https://forms.office.com/g/6ENUVTVvcd
- Alabama Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (ALVOAD): A coalition of non-profit and faith-based, public and private organizations and agencies that respond to disasters by bringing all available resources together to assist those impacted by disasters. VOADs provide a forum promoting cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration that fosters a more effective delivery of services to disaster affected communities. https://alabamavoad.org/
Helpful tips for Donating:
Cash is best. The best way to help people after a disaster is to donate cash to a recognized disaster relief organization. Monetary donations allow charitable organizations the flexibility to purchase items that are needed most, and, unlike material donations, cash donations entail no transportation costs. Cash donations avoid the process of collecting, sorting, and transporting donated goods. Cash donations may be tax deductible.
Cash donations allow relief organizations to:
- fund response and recovery efforts
- get goods and services and
- give financial aid to survivors.
Do not send unsolicited goods. It is important that prior to collecting any relief items, donors should contact the receiving local or national relief organization to verify the need and to make necessary transportation arrangements. Failure to do this will result in personnel, time, space, and money being spent to process uncoordinated items and will further detract from the resources being available to provide direct support to those affected by the disaster.
- Donate goods that are specifically requested or needed by recognized organizations. Contact your chosen organization before starting to collect or donate.
- Make a food donation to a local food bank that may distribute food to those impacted by the disaster.
Helpful tips for Volunteering:
- Get involved with a disaster relief organization before a disaster happens. They can provide the necessary training to help when a disaster occurs.
- Don't self-deploy to a disaster zone. Local officials will give specific instructions about how to volunteer. You can also check with volunteer organizations to learn about opportunities to help.
- Be patient. Sometimes the need for volunteers is greater during the recovery period.
