The DeKalb County Community Foundation is pleased to acknowledge a past grant of $388,659 received through the Illinois Tornado Relief Effort, a campaign of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

Received in October of 2015, this grant from the McCormick Foundation supported the ongoing rebuilding efforts of the Fairdale community after the deadly tornado tore through the community leaving an estimated $7.9 million in property damage in its wake. With the inclusion of this generous grant from the McCormick Foundation, this puts the total amount collected for recovery efforts over $1 million.

By the end of 2015, new housing starts had occurred and damaged homes were remodeled and re-occupied. In December 2015, the community septic field was completed and natural gas lines were extended to Fairdale. For 2016, plans for recovery are well underway and many have already seen completion. These plans include the planting of new trees, rebuilding the community park, repairing broken streets and building of new homes.

During a  recent tour, Donna Turner, DCLTRC, provides details about the tremendous progress and exciting future for Fairdale.

“This was a very timely and generous grant.” said Dan Templin, Executive Director, DeKalb County Community Foundation. “This grant to the DeKalb County Disaster Recovery Fund was distributed to the DeKalb County Long Term Recovery (DCLTRC) Corporation to assist in its mission of rebuilding the communities affected by the April 2015 tornado.  With no federal or state grant aid to assist with recovery and rebuilding, it is the amazing support of foundations, businesses, volunteer groups, families, and individuals that made the Fairdale area’s recovery to date possible.”

“Tornadoes devastate the communities and families they hit,” said David Hiller, President and CEO of the McCormick Foundation. “I’m thankful that so many local area residents made donations allowing the DeKalb County Community Foundation to help the community recover from these storms.”

To date, over 300 funds are managed by the DeKalb County Community Foundation that benefit the greater DeKalb County community. To contribute to the DeKalb County Disaster Recovery Fund or to discuss setting up a fund that meets your charitable interests, please contact Dan Templin, Executive Director, 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org

Pictured: Representatives from the DeKalb County Long Term Recovery Corporation (DCLTRC), DeKalb County Community Foundation, and Robert R. McCormick Foundation take a moment for a photo during a recent tour of Fairdale. From left: Bill Nicklas, DCLTRC; Kevin Bunge, DCLTRC; Phil Zepeda, Robert R. McCormick Foundation; Donna Turner, DCLTRC; and Dan Templin, DeKalb County Community Foundation.