Non-Profit Launched To Help With Irene Recovery

(Host) Governor Peter Shumlin has announced the formation of a non profit group that will help Vermonters recover from damages caused by Tropical Storm Irene.

The Vermont Long Term Disaster Fund will work with other non profit organizations in the state to coordinate assistance for people who have significant unmet financial needs.

To date, Vermonters have donated $1.3 million to the fund and officials plan to continue to fund-raise in the future.

David Coates, a long time director of the National Life Group, will chair the new organization.

(Coates) "It's just amazing the depth and breadth of the organizations that are stepping up to help us. And I'm one of the folks that believe the cup is always half full not half empty but I also am realistic to understand we have challenges but I also believe which challenges come opportunities."

(Host) Bill Elwell of Bristol is the vice chairman of the Fund. He's been involved in other voluntary disaster response groups and his goal now is to help as many Vermonters as possible:

(Elwell) "This is kind of the last safety net when everything else - when you've kind of fallen down through all the other levels, you've still got left over to put back together to even be able to function in life - these are the funds that you turn to help that happen."

(Host) Elwell says people who want to apply for money from the fund should wait until they've heard from FEMA and their insurance companies.

Once that's happened, he says the best way to apply for the money is to call 211.