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Wellington Rotary and Community Foundation report $35,000 raised for tornado relief; village to begin long‑term outreach
Summary
Rotary and the Wellington Community Foundation briefed council Jan. 28 on tornado relief work: organizers said about $35,000 was raised and roughly 90% of identified recipients have been reached. Village staff said community services will begin targeted long‑term outreach this week to properties with significant damage that have not applied for
Wellington Village Council — Representatives from the Wellington Rotary Club and the Wellington Community Foundation told the Village Council on Jan. 28 that community fundraising after recent tornadoes raised about $35,000 and that organizers have identified recipients for roughly 90% of those funds.
Walter Imperator, president of the Wellington Rotary Club, joined Barry Manning, Jim Sackett and incoming Rotary president Maria Cruz to brief council on the relief work. Imperator said the fund was set up quickly after the storm, attracted matching contributions from partners and donors, and supported neighbors who faced damage, trauma and insurance challenges.
Imperator credited first responders, village staff, school staff, volunteers and community partners — including the Wellington Community Foundation and several local donors — for helping residents in the immediate aftermath. He said the Rotary and partners used an application process and outreach via schools and first responders to identify people in need.
Council members asked how the village will follow up long term. Nicole Coates of the village’s community services team said the village has entered a long‑term recovery phase and will begin outreach this week to properties that have seen significant damage but have not applied for building permits. Coates told council staff had identified about 20 to 30 homes that appear to need permits but have not applied; outreach will include checking on insurance and FEMA claims and connecting uninsured residents to available resources. Coates said the community services team will report back to council at its next meeting or sooner if needed.
Mayor Barnes thanked the Rotary and the Community Foundation for their work and for coordinating with village staff and first responders. The briefing was a presentation item; no formal council vote was required.
