The Board of Trustees of the Joplin Tornado First Response Fund of the city of Joplin today (July 30, 2012) awarded $350,000 in grants, satisfying 13 of 34 applications from various charitable organizations and governmental entities. The announcement was made by Phil Stinnett, former mayor and current board chairman.

The fund was established to distribute donations made on behalf of the city of Joplin in the wake of the May 22, 2011 tornado. In April, 2012 the board announced that applications were being accepted from charitable organizations and governmental entities whose proposed uses of the funds included providing relief to tornado victims, rebuilding and restoring infrastructure and/or enhancing disaster preparedness through improved warning and safety measures.

The recipients, including amount of award and use of grant are:

• Area Agency on Aging - $40,000 - purchase of delivery truck for Meals on Wheels

• Independent Living Center - $8,000 - preparedness education for individuals with disabilities

• Freeman Health Center - $11,000 - two 15-ft. light towers for treatment during disasters

• Legal Aid of Western Missouri - $20,000 - support for legal services to low income residents impacted by tornado

• Economic Security - $4,000 - playground equipment replacement at Head Start Facility

• Big Brothers Big Sisters - $6,000 - program expenses, etc.

• Catholic Charities - $30,000 - provide major appliances for people affected by tornado

• St. Bernard Project/Rebuilt Joplin - $50,000 (2 payments of $25K) - staff member, tools and materials for rebuilding effort

• Arc of Ozarks - $25,000 - land acquisition, construction, costs for 6-bedroom duplex for residents with disabilities

• Joplin Family Y - $36,000 - staffing for after-school care for children with behavioral and emotional trauma as result of tornado

• Joplin Long-term Recovery Committee - $25,000 - furnishings, appliances for people affected by tornado

• Ozark Center - $30,000 - anonymous disaster assistance, text and online helpline for use by students affected by tornado

• Community Support Services, Jasper County Sheltered Facilities - $15,000 - residential safe room installation

Go Back