In response to tornadoes that touched down in Kankakee County, United Way and the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley have activated their joint Emergency Response Fund of Kankakee & Iroquois Counties to support individuals and families impacted by the storm.
“Our community has always united in key moments. Now is the time to step up and stand by our neighbors,” shared Mariah Vail, Executive Director of United Way, and Nicole Smolkovich, director of the Community Foundation, in a joint statement.
Donations to the Emergency Response Fund can now be made at:
myunitedway.org/disaster
The ERF is designed to provide swift, coordinated assistance during times of crisis. By pooling resources via a shared grants process and working closely with local nonprofits, this fund will ensure local support reaches those most impacted.
Originally created during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Emergency Response Fund raised $680,000 between 2020-2021. The fund remained on standby for emergencies and has been reactivated to support recovery efforts, and will operate with shared oversight from United Way and the Foundation.
The fund prioritizes rapid response and support to victims of the disaster through local nonprofits. Grants will be awarded through a transparent process overseen by both partner organizations, supporting both immediate needs and long-term recovery.
Donations of physical items are currently coordinated by SHINE.FM, located at 450 S Main St in Bourbonnais, until end-of-day tomorrow: March 12th. Their facility is open to accept donations from 8 AM – 4 PM.
