Out of the storm Families facing loss turn to DAV disaster relief program for assistance A tornado ripped through the town of Delmont, S.D., this spring. With a population of just 350, the rural community was left without power, electricity or telephones for days. The tornado wiped out a third of the small town, leaving its citizens to pick up the pieces. DAV members in the area knew exactly what to do. National Service Officers (NSOs) Owen Richards and Eric Van Emmerik, along with DAV Department of South Dakota Commander and Department Service Officer Ritch Wilson, went out as soon as security measures would allow. About a year ago, a DAV Service Officer drove all night from Minneapolis to provide aid when a tornado hit the town of Wessington Springs, S.D., said Wilson. I knew about the program from that and knew we could assist the veterans of Delmont. Wilson and his team set up shop in the local American Legion hall, which served as headquarters for all the aid groups in the area. Richards and Van Emmerik stayed busy taking claims while Wilson hit the streets to meet with the mayor and emergency personnel to find and direct veterans where to go. The supplies came out from headquarters fast. I couldn t believe it, said Wilson. It was a help for so many of the veterans. What we provided was something totally different from what other organizations were providing. There were cots for people who were displaced but no bedding. We were able to give them that.
A DAV Mobile Service Office sits nearby an evacuee camp in California, where DAV service officers provided 99 disaster relief drafts totalling $81,000 to veterans and their families. DAV disaster relief grants for which available cash recently doubled may be issued for the purpose of providing financial aid, food, clothing and temporary shelter. DAV supply kits which include backpacks, blankets and hygiene kits are also provided, providing an additional resource for safety, comfort and selfsufficiency in an extended emergency, disaster or evacuation. The hygiene kit includes basic necessities like a toothbrush and toothpaste, razors and shaving cream, hand sanitizer, deodorant, shampoo and soap. To be eligible for a disaster relief grant and supply kit, the applicant must be a veteran who became injured or ill as a result of their military service, or be the spouse of such a veteran. Wilson said there were many qualified veterans who were
unaware of their eligibility and what DAV could do for them during their time of need. One of the very first veterans thought the money we were giving had to be given back and was reluctant, he explained. We said, No, no, you can just take this down to the bank and get yourself whatever it is you need. Once they realized it didn t have to be paid back, they were shocked and relieved. It s humbling to be able to help when they ve lost so much, Wilson added. This is a rural farming community. Many of these veterans are up in their eighties and don t have insurance or only have a little. They lost everything, and they won t be able to rebuild. The help we were able to provide, I know in my heart of hearts, is something they will always be grateful for. Comparing the Wessington Springs disaster a year ago to what took place in Delmont, Wilson said there s been a vast improvement. I commend the DAV for the changes they made this past year, to be able to go out and help our fellow veterans so easily, he said. For us to be able to go out and recruit some of the older veterans who didn t know we existed is something that won t be forgotten. We were able to help so many. In total, DAV was able to provide $11,000 in relief for the victims in Delmont, which represents a fraction of the amount DAV has used in disaster relief aid this year for tornados alone. As of right now, we have conducted disaster relief throughout California, Kansas, Texas, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Alabama, Kentucky, Nebraska, Illinois, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Alaska, said National Service Director Jim Marszalek. As a result of our National Service Officers working with Chapter and Department leaders, a total of 313 drafts totaling $268,700 have been provided in 2015 to include roughly 390 backpacks, blankets and hygiene kits throughout these states.
DAV Department of Kentucky donates supplies to flood victims. Pictured, from left, are Department Commander George Hall, Department Adjutant Larry Roberts and Pat Tackett, Family Resources Director for Flagtap Elementary. Another community that has benefitted from DAV disaster relief is Coal City, Ill., which was struck by a tornado in June. DAV members reached out to Department of Illinois Commander Roberts Arens Jr. For help. They were looking for assistance and told me there were veterans out there who had lost everything, said Arens. I contacted NSO Supervisor Gerry Propst. He started making contact with DAV Headquarters; he really got the ball rolling. We were able to get backpacks, blankets and toiletry bags FedEx d very quickly. Within two to three days after the tornado hit, we were ready to help. Not only does the DAV help veterans with claims, but they can help in times of disaster, said Arens. When people hear of DAV, they only think of claims assistance. They might know about the Transportation Network. But nobody knows about disaster relief or disaster assistance. We need more public awareness of what we do.
The tornado that hit Coal City was categorized as an EF3 and damaged 884 buildings. DAV supplied $7,500 in aid to veterans, most of whom were unaware this program even existed. Nobody really knew what we did. Now they saw firsthand, said Arens. They d ask us, What can we do to help? We started to make partnerships, like with the Red Cross. They told me it was great to know for future reference they can contact DAV, and we can come set up a booth at the disaster headquarters. Arens, along with six other DAV members, put boots on the ground in the community, helping veterans with claims, informing the public about the program and finding veterans affected who may have not known they qualified. Their reward was immeasurable. Words can t describe what it felt like to have a veteran say, I just lost my house. This is all I have, the clothes on my back, Arens said. We were able to give them a voucher for $1,000 and tell them, Go get whatever you need. This is why I joined the DAV. I love helping veterans. It made me proud to be part of DAV. This is what we do. Veterans helping veterans, helping veterans in their time of need. It was a good feeling at a bad time, he added. Learn More Online Find out more about the DAV disaster relief program at www.dav.org/veterans/outreach-programs/disaster-relief/.