Community Bulletin
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Upshur County’s long-term flood recovery effort now has officers, six committees and a governing board, and the group behind it wants more people to help fill those committees.
UPLIFT (Upshur Partners Lifting Individuals & Families Together), the Upshur Long-Term Disaster Recovery Team, has formally launched to coordinate help for residents still recovering from the July 21 flood. Government agencies, nonprofits, community partners and volunteers formed the group after the federal disaster declaration on August 3. Its job is to find what flood survivors still need, connect them with volunteers, resources and funding, and help the county get ready for the next disaster.
Residents with flood-related needs that UPLIFT hasn’t heard about can report them on the online flood recovery form or by calling the recovery hotline, 304-454-5053.
Upshur County Commissioner Kristie Tenney is lead chair. The other officers named under the group’s bylaws are co-chair Katie Loudin of WV HUB, secretary Rachel Hamner of MountainHeart and member-at-large Isaac Casto of Parish House. The treasurer’s seat has not been filled.
Those officers serve on an executive committee that oversees UPLIFT’s policies and decides how its resources are spent. Also on that committee are representatives of Upshur County and the City of Buckhannon, fiscal agents, a disaster survivor and the chair of each committee.
The six committees and their chairs:
- Disaster case management and unmet needs, Kathy McMurray: follows up with residents, manages cases, makes referrals, keeps the paperwork and gets unmet needs ready for assistance.
- Emotional and spiritual care, Erica Bennett: connects survivors, their families, volunteers and partner groups to help with emotional, spiritual and social needs.
- Volunteer coordination, Heather Schneider: recruits and places volunteers and arranges lodging for visiting volunteer groups.
- Construction and rebuilding, Patrick Lane: organizes contractors, skilled workers, volunteer rebuilding crews and donated materials.
- Resource development and donations, Nicki Bentley-Colthart: looks for grants, donations, funding partners and other money for the recovery.
- Communications and public information, Randy Sanders: gets word out about the recovery, the help available and volunteer openings while protecting survivors’ privacy.
With its leaders in place, UPLIFT’s next step is building out those committees. Government agencies, nonprofits, churches and other faith-based groups, civic organizations, disaster survivors and individuals can all join. Membership is voluntary, and no disaster-recovery experience is needed.
“We need people with different skills, connections, and experiences,” the group said in announcing the launch. “Anyone willing to help, make connections, and work collaboratively can play an important role in long-term recovery.”
My Buckhannon reported this week that UPLIFT had worked with 482 homes and cases since the flood. The community began its shift to long-term recovery in late July, a week after the flood.
UPLIFT is asking residents to pass the word to people, churches, businesses and organizations that might serve on a committee or otherwise pitch in. To get involved, contact any member of the group.
