Corporate and Individual Volunteers are Working Together to Speed Recovery Efforts.

Wilmington, DE (April 25, 2023) – United Way of Delaware (UWDE) and Delaware 2-1-1 continue to work with partners and volunteers to help neighbors affected by the April 1, 2023, tornado in Sussex County to recover. Approximately 120 individuals or families have reported damage due to the tornado; sadly, one family lost a loved one. Since the storm, UWDE and partners have assisted in clearing up debris from households, which consisted of vegetative debris, tree removals, and building debris. Help is still needed on an ongoing basis. UWDE is organizing volunteers; please visit https://bit.ly/Care4Sussex to view available shifts and locations and to sign up.

In collaboration with community partners, UWDE and our partners will hold a Disaster Homeowner Forum on Wednesday, April 26, at 6:00 pm, at Bridgeville United Methodist Church. This is an educational/informational forum to provide guidance for making insurance claims, social service referrals, and Food Bank services. All of our neighbors affected by the tornado are welcome.

We thank our partners who are providing essential services to our neighbors. These include Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS), Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), Delaware Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (DE VOAD), Good Ole Boy Foundation, First State Community Action Agency, Food Bank of Delaware,  Delaware 211, as well as local churches and community organizations, which have been instrumental in providing support and assistance.

We also extend gratitude to our corporate partners for their generous support of our relief efforts, including Discover Bank, Delmarva Power, and Barclays. Hanif Adam Ahmad of Barclays said, “We at Barclays were saddened by the impact of the tornado on families in Sussex County. The devastation was truly shocking. We are humbled to work with United Way of Delaware and other partners and volunteers who are tirelessly helping our neighbors on the road to recovery.”  With the help of our partners and volunteers, the Care4Sussex initiative has saved our most vulnerable Sussex County neighbors over $300,000 in repair and clean-up services that they could otherwise not afford nor able to acquire themselves.

All individuals or families who need assistance can contact Delaware 2-1-1 at 800-560-3372 or text their zip code to 898-211. Delaware 2-1-1 will continue to connect Delawareans with resources while verifying their needs and conducting damage assessments.

Efforts remain ongoing to help our neighbors in need. UWDE and partner agencies will continue to provide updates and connect the community with resources to assist our Sussex recovery.

To donate, visit https://uwde.org/sussex.

To volunteer, visit https://bit.ly/Care4Sussex.

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About United Way of Delaware

Founded in 1946, United Way of Delaware (UWDE) works to advance the common good by focusing on four key areas: Early Education, Career and College Readiness, Financial Empowerment, and Racial Justice and Social Equity. UWDE is engaged in a long-term strategy to eliminate the root causes of Delaware’s most pressing social problems in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. UWDE is also responsible for the United Way brand in Salem County, New Jersey. Learn more and #JoinTheFight at www.uwde.org.

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