Applications open for Rome Victim Recovery Fund. Who qualifies, how to apply for help

*This story was edited for clarity.

Applications are open for the Rome Victim Recovery Fund.

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties is in the process of distributing $1.2 million to help individuals affected by the tornado.

Oneida County donated $1 million, while the Community Foundation has raised $200,000 as of Wednesday.

A phone bank operated by Oneida County is now available 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to take applications. The number to call is 315-798-5206.

Rome residents who were impacted by the tornado and do not qualify for government assistance services will be eligible to receive up to $5,000 to utilize for the following, but not limited to:

• Insurance deductibles

• Electrical hook-ups

• Securing homes

• Relocation costs

• Moderate repairs

• Tree removal

• Dumpster rentals

Business Communications Manager Kayla Ellis said the Community Foundation had helped during natural disasters before, namely the flooding in Herkimer in 2017 and 2019. So when the storm touched down, the foundation was ready.

“Right after the tornado ripped through Rome, our team established the Rome NY Emergency Response Fund, and that currently has [$200,000] currently in it from local donors and donors from around 15 different states,” Ellis said.

Be wary, be official

And while the people of Rome have banded together after such a tragedy, there are those out there looking to take advantage of them and their generosity.

“We’ve seen a lot of GoFundMe pages started immediately after the tornado in Rome,” Ellis said. “If you’re looking to give, giving through an organization like ours that is well-established and well-known means you know where that money will go.”

Grimmer said people can’t be sure the money will go where a GoFundMe says it will go.

“I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with GoFundMe and it works for many things, but this is verifiable,” Director of Giving Strategies Nick Grimmer said. “And 100% of the proceeds go to the cause.”

All money is being funneled to the community

Both Ellis and Grimmer said no fees are being taken off these funds for victims.

“For our fund, there is no money being taken off the top. And for the county money, it’s simply being funneled through us to distribute through the community,” she said.

Ellis guaranteed that if money is donated to the Community Foundation for Rome, it will stay in Rome and go on to help Rome victims.

“We will be assessing all non-profits who have boots on the ground and get checks out to those organizations [as soon as possible],” Ellis said.

Coming together

Grimmer and Ellis said they’ve been amazed at how fast the Rome, NY Emergency Response Fund has grown and are grateful for everyone helping.

“We had the structure of this fund up the night of the storm, and my phone [the next day] almost ran out of battery from the calls and texts,” Grimmer said. “The first call I got was from a couple in North Carolina who grew up in Rome and have extended family. They gave a substantial contribution because they had fond memories growing up in Rome.”

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Rome EF2 tornado: Rome Victim Recovery Fund offers assistance