What are you willing to raise your hand for?
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) are raising a hand and helping families affected by the wildfire.
With the Cottonwood Complex fire a couple of weeks in the past, the work is shifting into the recovery from immediate needs to long-term solutions. The Reno County VOAD and United Way continue to work to assist families where needed.

The VOAD is starting to get into the long-term recovery portion of this disaster. It is 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.

The goal of the VOAD and United Way is to simply walk alongside in the recovery where needed. The VOAD is 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. We do case management with every single family who wants our assistance. Anyone who has not connected yet with the VOAD can apply for assistance at www.rallyreno.org or call 211 for more information.

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. Call The Volunteer Center at 620-665-4960 to learn more.
The Reno County VOAD was formed in 2014 to provide coordination efforts for volunteer, financial, spiritual, physical and/or psychological support to community members who have been affected by local, state or federally declared disasters, both “natural” and human created.

The VOAD is a non-profit volunteer led body, so there are no salaries, or even administrative fees deducted from donations. 100% of donations stay local and go directly to the impacted residents. Area organizations that sit on the Board of Directors include: 
  • United Way of Reno County
  • The American Red Cross
  • The Salvation Army
  • Interfaith Housing Services
  • Reno County
  • City of Hutchinson
  • Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
  • The Volunteer Center
  • United Methodist Hutchinson District
  • Mennonite Disaster Services
  • Disciples of Christ
  • Association of Chaplains

Monetary donations for those impacted by the Cottonwood Complex fires can be sent to the United Way of Reno County website link at www.unitedwayofrenocounty.org, or drop off at our office located at 924 N Main Street, Hutchinson.

Carla Woody Stanfield
Please help us welcome back
Carla Woody Stanfield to the United Way Team! She will be helping raise much needed funds to support non-profits and impact work in our community.

Carla has lived in our community for most all of her life and has a love of nonprofit work. She is looking forward to meeting all our donors and partners. Contact her at cstanfield@unitedwayofrenocounty.org.
The chance to rebuild belongs to everyone. When every person has opportunities to thrive, they can pave the path for the next generation and make our community stronger. By supporting United Way of Reno County you help make this possible.
To learn more about our work visit our website or email info@unitedwayofrenocounty.og