Arkansas Disaster Resource Center Continues Rebuilding Efforts for Tornado Victims; $34 Million in Unmet Needs Remain from Tornadoes.

Business Editors

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 24, 2000

The Arkansas Disaster Resource Center estimates there are still over $34 million in unmet needs resulting from 56 tornadoes that swept across Arkansas on January 21, 1999.

Formed in response to last year's disaster, The Arkansas Disaster Resource Center (ADRC) continues to organize an ongoing effort to rebuild central Arkansas.

The response and recovery effort has drawn more than 1,100 volunteers from across the nation, who have invested over 33,000 hours. However, ADRC continues to seek more volunteers who are greatly needed in the long-term recovery effort. In cooperation with the Christian Reformed Church World Committee, Mennonite Disaster Services and the Interfaith Disaster Recovery Team, ADRC continually organizes teams of 40 skilled craftsmen. Often staying up to three weeks at a time, the teams of volunteers rebuild and repair damaged homes.

According to ADRC director Nelson Mears, the most rewarding part of their efforts is the profound impact they make on people's lives. &uot;What a blessing it is to be able to assist these individuals. To see the tears in the eyes of families indicates just how much they appreciate our help,&uot; Mears said. Mears estimates it will take two to three more years to complete the rebuilding process.

An estimated 2,000 homes and 125 businesses were damaged or destroyed by the tornadoes. Building materials totaling $2 million have been donated by generous organizations and individuals, with significant contributions from Materials for Mankind and Feed the Children. Approximately one-half of the in-kind donations have been distributed.

More than 2,000 individuals affected by the tornadoes have relied on ADRC and its affiliated agencies to provide crisis counseling, food, clothing, personal care items, blankets, furniture, appliances, and much more. Individuals have also donated homes and land to ADRC to be used in the recovery effort. With the help of the Pulaski County Community Alliance and many other organizations, vacant houses will be rehabilitated and new homes will be built on vacant lots to house families who were displaced by the tornadoes.

The ADRC is an umbrella organization comprised of several agencies that have joined efforts to provide relief for tornado victims. Agencies housed by ADRC include: Adventist Community Services, Lutheran Disaster Response, United Methodist Disaster Response, Interfaith Disaster Recovery Team, Project COPE, and the Central Arkansas Tornado Recovery Office. The City of Little Rock has also committed to support ADRC so the organization may respond to any future disasters, from single-family fires to Presidentially declared disasters.

If you would like to volunteer or make a contribution to assist in the ongoing effort to rebuild central Arkansas, contact Nelson Mears at [phone]. Contributions may be mailed to Arkansas Disaster Resource Center, 900 East Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72201.