US LBM Foundation donates to Greenfield tornado relief fund in Iowa; Greater Greenfield Community Foundation distributes US$380,000 to affected homeowners, renters

The US LBM Foundation announced that it would be allocating funds to each division through the Foundation for Giving program. This initiative was established so that the US LBM Foundation can support the charitable causes that are important to our local divisions. Gilcrest/Jewett & Plum Building Systems donated to the Greater Greenfield Community Foundation Tornado Relief Fund.

In the spring of 2024, a powerful multi-vortex tornado hit the communities of Villisca, Nodaway, Brooks, Corning, and Greenfield in southwestern Iowa. This tornado, part of a widespread outbreak from May 19-27, reached its peak intensity in Greenfield, with wind speeds estimated at 185 mph, making it one of the strongest ever recorded.

“When US LBM sent out the email to employees two months after the tornado that said ‘Foundation for Giving is back’ I immediately read through the article and talked to my boss to see if the Greenfield Tornado Relief was a good candidate for the program. That’s when I decided to apply to help my hometown. That email came at the perfect time,” said Deborah Foster, Designer with Plum Building Systems.

With this contribution, the GGCF was able to distribute approximately $380,000 to homeowners and renters!

With donations the GGCF has:

·         Provided $3,000 relief checks to those who made an application to GGCF and whose homes or businesses were categorized by EMA as destroyed and will continue to fund these applications in these categories as they come in.

·         Those whose houses or businesses received significant damage (as determined by EMA) received $1,500.

·         Renters who lived in a home/apartment that was destroyed or categorized as majorly damaged by EMA received $1,000.

·         Those with medical bills not covered by insurance or uninsured received checks as they got their bills from medical providers. GGCF paid 60% of outstanding bills up to $10,000.

·         Free youth programs happened all last summer from a special grant for camps through Extension, Adair Co. Conservation, Fitness Center, Greenfield Library, free movie days, free pool passes and more.