Small Rural Communities in the Midwest

need relief for devastation caused by historic flooding

September brings record rainfall and more flooding - see News

FEMA Buyouts require city to pay 15% - see News

Devastating Wind Storm hits Quad City Area - see news

Historic flooding is having a catastrophic effect on many communities in the Midwest, and they need your help.

Large cities have resources to help with this need and are able to get news coverage, visits by politicians and, most importantly, financial assistance.

But smaller communities and rural counties have a tendency to get passed by; maybe a mention in the newspapers, possibly some internet coverage, but little or no money.

I just spoke to a county engineer this morning for a poor rural Illinois county that has several communities experiencing devastating flooding from the Mississippi river. And it's going to get worse before gets better. He was out beginning the assessment of damage to roads and bridges.

Flood waters have completely covered small towns lacking in resources and funding to fight the flood waters, and to rebuild after the water has receded.

This particular county engineer related to me that his county still has not recovered from the damage caused by the ice storm of February 2007. In that disaster, small counties couldn't "tally up" high enough losses to get the attention of the governor of their own state, let alone receive any financial assistance.

For small counties and communities, $1 million dollars in damage is more than they can ever hope to recoup. $5 million is a number beyond their comprehension. Yet, lawmakers just aren't shaken by numbers so small. And their aren't enough voters to make enough noise to get their attention.

These good, solid, hard working people in America's heartland aren't the type to complain or go groveling to the state capitol, and they can't afford to take an entourage to Washington, D.C. asking for money like so many others get in places better known.

Even as President Bush tours the area this week, and politicians make bold promises of relief dollars to come, the truth is that there just won't be enough money to filter down to these smaller counties and towns in quantities that will come even close to making a difference.

Could you make a contribution today that will go toward helping some hard working Americans that aren't likely to get much help any other way?

Anything you can do is greatly appreciated.

Just click on the PayPal button above, you can even provide relief via your credit card.

Thank you in advance!

 (Donations and accounting services currently handled by our friends at 4the5 LLC)

Note: This website is not currently a 501(c)3 charitable organization, so unfortunately your contribution is not tax deductible. If that changes we will contact you with an appropriate receipt.