In the aftermath of devastating tornadoes across Greene and Monroe Counties, some charities have launched “Disaster Relief Funds” — with plenty of emotion, platitudes, and donation links, but curiously little in the way of concrete assistance.
While a particular press release hit all the right notes — “heartbroken,” “resilient,” “neighbors coming together” — it ultimately read less like a disaster relief plan and more like a fundraising pitch for the overall organization itself and only thinly disguised as a public service announcement.
The real call to action? Donate! Not volunteer, not show up, or not help your neighbor. Rather, open your wallet and trust them to sort it all out for you.
“Every dollar donated will go toward disaster recovery,” they claimed — without offering even a hint of exactly how that recovery will be managed, who will oversee it locally, or what percentage goes toward admin, consultants, or staff time and operational expenses elsewhere.
The only actual instruction for victims to receive assistance? Call 2-1-1. Which — let’s be clear — is a state-run referral service only partially connected to some charities and actually operated by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA).
So, in reality, 2-1-1 may direct you to a church, shelter, or overworked local agency who might actually have a tarp or a hot meal, but not necessarily the ones requesting donations. “Donate to us!” was the overwhelming message carried within this particular press release.
As for Greene County’s role? The release mentions officials — generically — but no names, no partners, no local boots on the ground. Just a vague nod and a hope that “we know recovery doesn’t happen overnight.”
When we discussed the response with actual victims, though, there were mostly harsh words for those perceived to be in leadership roles, while there was sincere praise for various average and everyday locals who just simply showed up to help or with help. One Greene County resident with personal experience with other disasters said, “I have never seen one so poorly responded to,” when asked about his overall thoughts.
But back to these Disaster Relief Funds being established. They might help. Maybe. Eventually. But will all donations from Greene County go to Greene County — or only partially? We really don’t know or have a sense from this particular press release. Right now, though, it appears to be a campaign more focused on optics and donations than operations and deployment. And that’s frankly why we chose not to publish it.
What’s your assessment and opinion or personal experience?