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Stamford, Conn. – June 17, 2013 – AmeriCares and Portlight Strategies, Inc. are partnering to help disabled Oklahoma residents affected by the recent tornadoes. AmeriCares has awarded a $25,000 grant to the Charleston, S.C.-based nonprofit organization to replace wheelchairs, scooters, ramps and other equipment lost or damaged in the recent storms. About 200 Oklahomans with mobility issues are expected to benefit over the next 45 days.
“Children and adults with disabilities are among the most vulnerable after a disaster. Often the equipment they rely on for mobility is damaged or destroyed, limiting their independence,” said AmeriCares Vice President of Emergency Response Garrett Ingoglia. “By providing wheelchairs and other medical equipment we will help dozens of tornado survivors recover faster.”
The program is an extension of a partnership that began earlier this year to install ramps for New Jersey residents affected by Superstorm Sandy.
“Our partnership with AmeriCares enables us to streamline requests from tornado survivors with disabilities and expeditiously fill those needs,” said Paul Timmons, chairman of Portlight Strategies’ board of directors.
AmeriCares has been aiding survivors of natural disasters, political conflict and extreme poverty around the world for more than 30 years, saving lives and restoring health and hope. The nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization had a team of relief workers on the ground in Moore, Okla., within 24 hours of the May 20 storm coordinating deliveries of medicine and relief supplies.
To date, AmeriCares has delivered 48 shipments valued at more than $3 million to help more than 20,000 residents of the Oklahoma City area recover. AmeriCares has sent medicines, including more than 11,000 doses of tetanus vaccine to protect injured survivors, as well as first aid supplies and bottled water.