Re: “” Nov. 17 news story.
In response to this article, I’d like to add some context. I am vice chair for Foothills United Way’s board of directors and have been following the progress for the Foothills Flood Relief Fund’s short- and long-term recovery plans.
We have a very generous community and received a show of support from around the country.
The story stated that there is $2.7 million in the Foothills Flood Relief Fund and millions more collectively in other entities while thousands of Coloradans are still displaced and living in damaged homes. The article does a disservice to the Long-Term Flood Recovery Group and the overall efforts because it makes it appear as though the resources are not being distributed in a timely manner.
To the contrary; the fund helped with some immediate needs and is now meant to be a “long-term” fund for those needs that still exist after the other sources have been exhausted. The disaster recovery experts advise that the most effective way to help people after the initial crisis has passed is to assess the scope of the devastation before allocating these dollars.
We know that the reported flood fund of $11.4 million is not close to the amount needed to bring our community back to wholeness. Our community partners, government, public and private sectors, and individuals serving on the Long-Term Flood Recovery Group have an ethical duty to make strategic, informed decisions on spending to maximize the existing money.
They will do this by leveraging more money from national sources, aligning volunteer groups with recovery efforts, and enabling individuals to receive expert recovery and rebuilding services to help the greatest number of people move toward recovery.
We invite the community to stay interested, stay involved, and stay committed to rebuilding our communities with us.
Edie Ortega of Lafayette is on the board of directors for the Foothills United Way.
