When storms, rain and floods swept central Indiana in early June, the damage to some counties was catastrophic. Ripley County was declared a disaster area then and again after Hurricane Ike blew through in September.

Since that declaration, the Ripley County Community Foundation has become the recipient of a $100,000 grant for long-term disaster relief and recovery, according to RCCF program officer Jane Deiwert. “The funding of this grant was made possible by a $45 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. The grants for counties which have United Ways actively functioning will be funneled into their coffers for distribution. Ripley County does not have a United Way so the RCCF is serving that role,” she said.

A local Ripley County Disaster Grant Committee was formed to investigate ways the monies could best be used. Members included Tom Grills, Ripley County sheriff; Janice Hosmer, Ripley County EMS/Margaret Mary Community Hospital/Critical Incident Stress Management/Emergen-cy Planning Committee; the Rev. Duane Loos, St. Paul United Methodist Church; Holly Meador and Pat Thomas, Ripley County Health Department; Sally Morris, RCCF; director Wayne Peace and Dan Mulford, Ripley County Emergency Management Agency; Lawrence Nickell and Bob Reiners, county commissioners; Dave Osborne, Cooperative Extension Service; Judy Schebler, Ripley County 911; Sandy Vanderbur, Red Cross; and Kelly Vollet, Ripley County technology coordinator.

The grant money will be used to help the county purchase a phone system in compliance with Homeland Security; replenish fuel and stone expended in the disasters; restock the Ripley County Food Bank; and purchase water rescue equipment for future flooding. “RCCF wants to help make a difference in the lives of its residents by easing the burden from the disasters of 2008,” the program officer added.