Aid Association for Lutherans has contributed $15,000 to flood-relief efforts in Austin.

Saturday, July 22, 2000

Aid Association for Lutherans has contributed $15,000 to flood-relief efforts in Austin.

Paula DeGear and Rita Wachlin, district representatives for AAL, presented the check to Alice Tomaschko and Mary Goetz, representing the Mower County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Thursday afternoon.

According to DeGear and Wachlin, another $6,100 has been allocated by AAL to fund additional flood-relief effort needs as they arise.

The AAL contribution is the largest single donation received by the Red Cross chapter for flood relief.

The money goes to the chapter’s disaster relief fund and is intended to help meet the basic human needs for people whose lives have been affected by the July 9-10 flood in Austin and Spring Valley.

The money was designated specifically to assist with the temporary shelter and feeding of 57 families affected by the flooding in Austin and Spring Valley.

Tomaschko, disaster services chairwoman, and Goetz, assistant director of the chapter, expressed their appreciation on behalf of the Red Cross for AAL’s generosity.

AAL is based in Appleton, Wis. It is a fraternal benefit society of 1.8 million Lutherans joined together for insurance, education and volunteer opportunities.

According to DeGear and Wachlin, during the past nine years, AAL and its branches have rallied to raise more than $18 million for disaster relief efforts across America.

"This year, over $500,000 has been allocated for disaster relief," DeGear said.

Thursday’s donation marked the debut of the United Way of Mower County Inc.’s involvement with coordinating flood-relief fund raising.

Only a day earlier, the United Way announced it is partnering with the Red Cross chapter and the Salvation Army Austin Corps to establish a disaster fund to aid with the cleanup costs from the recent floods in Mower County.

More than 2,500 meals have been served, 76 people have sought mental health services, 150 motel room nights have been purchased and 400 cleanup kits have been distributed since July 10, when flash flooding inundated Austin.

In addition, it is investing $200,000 toward social services for victims, including rent, food and clothing for those families who qualify.

"One hundred percent of the money that we receive is used for assistance in the Mower County area," emphasized Maj. Doug Yeck, officer in charge.

Yeck also issued a plea for volunteers.

"We are still in need of more volunteers to help with the cleanup of those who are in need," he said. "If you have any time to give or belong to a group that could help, please give us a call."

The latest numbers of flood assistance by the Salvation Army are: 1,992 cold drinks, 1,319 meals from the mobile canteens and 480 cleanup kits distributed between July 10 and 19.