What Is the Tonto Recovery Committee?

After the floods this year, my wife, Cindy Backes, noticed a banner on the Silver Ridge building.  She stopped in and talked to a gentleman there who asked her to come to a meeting they were having on the subject of long-term recovery plans for victims of the flood.  Cindy and I went to the meeting.  Throughout the entire meeting, Cindy and I were very confused about what these people were trying to do.  We left there very confused.

        In spite of our confusion, we talked Shelly and Lee Goodwin to come to the next meeting.  I think they agreed to come with us out of pure curiosity, since Cindy and I really didn’t give them any informed information.  At this meeting, I experienced a “old light bulb over the head” enlightenment!  And, I was not alone.  It also happened to Cindy, Lee and Shelly.  It was Pastor Dave Sherman from the White Mountains Outpost of the Salvation Army that made us understand.

        We had been going to meetings where representatives from Gila County, Arizona State, The Baptist Foundation, Lutheran Social Services and the Salvation Army had been asking us, as residents of Tonto Basin to form a “Long-Term Recovery Committee.”  And, we finally realized why they wanted it.

        We had been meeting with representatives from different organizations who wanted to help residents affected by the flood.  But, they would not give any money or other support unless our community had a committee to oversee the distribution of the support they were able to give.  They call that this group the “Long-term Recovery Committee.”

        So, Lee, Shelly, Cindy and I asked them to hold another meeting in two weeks.  We assured them that we could get other people to participate.  It was March 23, 2010, when we formed the Tonto Recovery Committee.  We did not use the name Tonto Basin because this committee would also cover our neighbors in Gisela, who were also hit hard by the flood.

        Here are a few of this committee’s responsibilities:

First, this committee will be responsible to build relationships with non-profit organizations that may be able to help resident in need after a flood or any disaster.

Second, the committee will review the hardship cases brought to it by the case worker, Charlene, from the Lutheran Social Services.  She is currently located in the Kiwanis building.  Anyone who had flood damage is asked to meet with her and let your needs be know.  Charlene will then assign a case number to protect your identity and bring the cases to the attention of the committee.  For example, we are currently starting the process to acquire appliances for a number of flood victims that financially cannot cover the cost of replacing the appliances themselves.  Other requested materials are duct work, insulation, water line material, etc.  The needs of our neighbors harmed by the flood are at times overwhelming.  But, if we approach their needs one case at a time, I know we can be effective in helping them recovery to a normal, healthy life style.

Third, the committee is going to hold a number of fund raiser events.  Our goal is to have funds available for the committee to disperse to disaster victims.  All funds collected for the Tonto Recovery Committee will be held by the Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS).  LSS will do all the financial record keeping and reporting for this committee.  Their assistance eliminates the need for this Tonto Recovery Committee to form a 501c(3) non-profit organization which will save immensely on our costs.  If you wish to donate to this committee, you a can do so one of two ways: 1.  if you want your gift to be tax deductible, please make your check payable to Lutheran Social Services, and in the memo section of your check write “for Tonto Recovery Comm.”  2.  if you want to give cash or in-kind gifts (like new appliances or insulation) for now, please contact Lee Goodwin at 928-978-2421 or myself at 928-595-2331 or Gail Starkey, who is the Treasurer for the Committee.

You will soon see donation cans located at businesses around the Basin asking you to help.  Our motto is “NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS.”

It is the hope of this committee that we will organize ourselves in the structure that major charities recognize, so we may not only be able to help our neighbors that are in need today, but also be ready and able, in a much more timely manor, to help our neighbors affected by future disasters.  We shall be publishing a list of all the committee members in the very near future and how you can contact us.  Ron Starkey is in the process of building a website for you to get information and stay current on the Committee’s progress.  We pray for your support and involvement is this endeavor, and hope that when you see a collection can or see fund raising events that support the Tonto Recovery Committee that you give whatever you financially can afford.  Thank you, again.

Bill Backes and Lee Goodwin, Co-Chairmen

Tonto Recovery Committee