TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Duke Energy awarded $170,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations for the support they provided to those devastated by the storms that made their way through central Indiana on June 29.
Duke Energy thought the most devastating storms they’ve seen on the Indiana utility were the remnants of Hurricane Ike back in 2008. Since the late June and early July storms they’ve learned that’s no longer the case.
“We soon discovered; it (June 29 storm) was actually the most impactful storm in our modern history,” Pinegar said.
That line of storms impacted 330,000 Duke Energy customers. Leaving some without power for up to five days.
The salvation army was one of several organizations that stepped in to help.
“We put up residents who were in medically critical positions,” Fingar, Core Officer of the Salvation Army Vigo County said. “We put them up in hotels so they could maintain access to electricity for their medical equipment.”
Fingar recalled helping two senior citizens who were having to rely on the emergency room to receive needed oxygen treatments.
“If we (The Salvation Army) had not had the ability to put them up, they would have continued to incur heavy medical costs, that would’ve made life very difficult for them,” Fingar said.
Throughout those impactful days of storms and the long road of power restoration, Brazil Mayor, Brian Wyndham, said they still have at least a couple of weeks of clean-up efforts. But through it all, the impacted communities have come together.
“The community’s done a great job of getting together and helping,” Wyndham said. “Neighbors helping neighbors,” he added.
On Wednesday, The Duke Energy Foundation recognized several Wabash Valley Nonprofit organizations with a grant. The list of recipients and the intended use is listed below.
- American Red Cross of Indiana (Statewide) – $50,000
The American Red Cross of Indiana delivered immediate relief to communities impacted by the storms, including standing-up respite centers, which offered a break from the heat as well as a place for residents to charge their phones and devices and obtain water and snacks.
- Salvation Army Indiana Division (Statewide) – $50,000
The grant funds will be used to provide families with practical items like food, supplies, and housing, in addition to emotional support to help navigate through the effects of the storm.
- United Way of Monroe County (Monroe County) – $30,000
United Way of Monroe County is standing up a program to provide basic needs support for local residents impacted by the storms. The organization will work with partner agencies to distribute resources to underserved residents, as well as provide support for services at area nonprofits.
- Clay County Emergency Food Pantry (Clay County) – $10,000
The grant funds will be used to supply food for local residents in need.
- Putnam County Community Foundation (Putnam County) – $10,000
The grant funds will support the creation of a countywide emergency food fund, as well as efforts to repair damage to local parks and replace trees that were harmed or destroyed by the storms.
- Rediscover Clinton (Vermillion County) – $10,000
Following storm damage in Clinton, funds will go toward efforts to maintain a vibrant, healthy community – including beautification work and community events.
- Terre Haute Parks Department (Vigo County) – $10,000
The grant funds will be used to restore the Larrison Pavilion in Deming Park, which was severely damaged by the storms. In addition, the funding will be used to support countywide park restoration and cleanup efforts.
Community and nonprofit leaders were grateful to Duke Energy for their constant communication in the days following the storms and they were thankful for the generosity of The Duke Foundation.
“The generosity of the Duke Foundation will allow us to continue to assist people in our community,” Fingar said.
