United Way donations fund flood recovery for the long haul
Dec. 24—When donations started flowing into Haywood after Tropical Storm Fred, the Haywood County commissioners designated United Way of Haywood County as the official agency to accept and disperse funding.
To date, $1.327 million has been contributed, said Celesa Willett, executive director of the agency. That's without specifically asking for a cent.
How the funds are used is determined by the United Way board of directors, and to date, $472,346 has been spent, with $120,000 going to help businesses and farmers, $300,000 spent to repair flood-damaged roads and bridges and some funds used by Baptists on Mission for its rapid rehousing program.
The funds for road and bridge repair are in addition to monies raised by Helping Haywood, a nonprofit that used about $100,000 it has raised for that purpose and then partnered with United Way to continue the work.
Another $490,000 of the donations is being held in reserve for Baptists on Mission, which is enough to rebuild about 28 homes.
The rest of the money will be used for unmet needs and is being spend in conjunction with the Restore Haywood, a coalition of nonprofits, churches and other organizations in the county that have been working since late August to provide help to flood survivors.
All the flood relief efforts are on top of the other United Way work to help fund nonprofits in the community who are a vital link to serving all aspects of the community, Willett said.
"We're working as a team on that every week," she said. "All these donations just came in. We haven't asked for any, but I'd never turn a donation away. People know we will use the money wisely. It's been incredible to see the compassion and generosity of our community."
