News Flash

Volunteers Active in Disaster (VOAD) Helping Families Affected by Wildfire

Reno County, Kan. – March 10, 2022 – The Reno County Volunteers Active in Disasters (VOAD) organization is directly assisting families affected by the Cottonwood Complex fires. VOAD is a non-profit volunteer led body, so there are no salaries, or even administrative fees deducted from donations. 100% of donations stay local and go directly to the impacted residents.

VOAD was formed in 2014 to provide coordination efforts for volunteer, financial, spiritual, physical and/or psychological support to community members who have been affected by local, state or federally declared disasters, both “natural” and human created. The organization’s primary activities aid in both short-term and long-term recovery efforts. Area organizations that sit on the Board of Directors include:

• United Way of Reno County
• The American Red Cross
• The Salvation Army
• Interfaith Housing Services
• Reno County
• City of Hutchinson
• Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
• The Volunteer Center
• United Methodist Hutchinson District
• Mennonite Disaster Services
• Disciples of Christ 
• Association of Chaplains
• Member at Large

VOAD coordinated the Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) that was held this past Tuesday at the Fairgrounds, which connected local resources to community members affected by the wildfire. Those who were not able to attend the event are encouraged to sign up at www.rallyreno.org and they will be assigned a case manager within 48 hours to assist with their needs.

Monetary donations for those impacted by the Cottonwood Complex fires can be sent to the United Way of Reno County via their online link at www.unitedwayofrenocounty.org, by dropping off at their office at 924 N Main Street, Hutchinson, or by calling 2-1-1. Please use caution when donating to outside organizations.

###