Former Patriots linebacker Andre Tippett said community members raised $122,131.50, and with a $100,000 match from the Patriots, the Massachusetts Statewide Disaster Relief Fund added $222,131.50.
View full sizePro football and New England Patriots Hall of Famer Andre Tippett, right, shakes hands with William Gagnon of Excel Dryer Corp. in East Longmeadow as Gagnon dropped off a $5,000 check at the United Way of Pioneer Valley Office during a press conference at which it was announced more than $200,000 was raised for Massachusetts tornado relief through a fund drive launched with a pledge of $100,000 in matching funds from the family of Patriots owner Robert Kraft, through the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation.Updates a story posted Wednesday at 11:52 a.m.
SPRINGFIELD – After being pummeled by last month’s freak tornadoes, Greater Springfield received a challenge from an organization with a history of delivering hard hits: The New England Patriots charitable foundation pledged $100,000 if tornado-damaged communities could match the figure.
In just two weeks, the matching $100,000 has been collected, with an extra $22,131.50 thrown in, the Patriots and the Pioneer Valley United Way announced Wednesday.
Former Patriots linebacker Andre Tippett said members of the community raised $122,131.50, bringing the total raised for the Massachusetts Statewide Disaster Relief Fund to $222,131.50.
“In early June we joined people across the nation as we watched our televisions and were stunned that the tornadoes hit so close to home,” said Tippett, executive director of community affairs for the Patriots.
The announcement was made at a press conference in front of the United Way of Pioneer Valley on Mill Street. A tree on the lawn there bore damage from the tornado that ripped through the South End on June 1.
Denise R. Jordan, chief of staff for Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, praised those who contributed “because they stepped up to the plate and thought about Western Massachusetts.”
Jordan said the city is moving from a stabilization phase to a rebuilding phase as it continue to recover from the June 1 tornado. “Debris collection is on-track and ready to go,” she said.
Jordan also thanked the victims of the tornadoes for their “resilience and patience during this troubled time.
Dora D. Robinson, United Way of Pioneer Valley president and chief executive officer, said the monies raised and matched will make a significant difference to the community “as we move from relief to rebuilding.”
Jim Cieslar, vice president of operations for United Way Tri-County and Dora D. Robinson, United Way Pioneer Valley president and chief executive officer, detail contribution of more than $220,000 for tornado relief made through $100,000 in matching grant from the New England Patriots and community members.Donations included:
• $26,293 from Greater Springfield Visitor and Convention Bureau and Massachusetts Restaurant Association.
• $10,000 from Waters Co.
• $10,000 from Savings Bank Life Insurance
• $8,500 from Par Electric, Watkins Strategies, McVac Environmental, Longfellow Drilling, The Spear Group, and Quanta Energized Services.
• $5,000 from Excel Dryer
• $1,800 from Patriot’s Alumni Association
• $776.50 from the town of East Longmeadow.
Also Wednesday, neighborhood councils from the city’s hardest-hit sections received $1,000 each courtesy of the City Council and sponsors who supported a tornado relief cookout last week.
Representatives from South End, East Forest Park, Upper Hill and Maple-High-Six Corners neighborhoods were handed checks at City Hall from City Council President Jose F. Tosado and Councilor Kateri B. Walsh, organizers of the June 29 fundraiser at Court Square.
Initially, Walsh hoped to raise $500 for each group, but was pleasantly surprised by the turnout.
“We exceeded our expectations,” she said, noting the total raised, $4,114, doubled her initial goal.
Councilors Timothy Allen, Melvin A. Edwards, E. Henry Twiggs and John A. Lysak, who represent storm-damaged areas, also participated in the event and thanked cookout sponsors, including Elegant Affairs, the Spirit of Springfield, Baystate Health, the MassMutual Center and the Community Music School.
Andre Tippett, left, and Patriots Alumni Club President Pete Brock were on hand at the United Way of Pioneer Valley Office in Springfield.Other contributors included the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, the culinary arts department at Putnam Vocational High School, the Springfield Business Improvement District, O’Brien’s Corner, Russ’s Cafe, Friendly Restaurants.
Also, Performance Food Group; Rock 102, WHYN AM and WMAS FM; GB Enterprises, Aldi Supermarket, Wonder Bread and Staples Copy and Print Center.
Summing up the spirit of the gathering, Richard F. Devine, the sheriff department’s director of operations, recalled a conversation with a resident shortly after the tornadoes.
“He said I lost my fence, but now I know who my neighbor is,” Devine said.
The Entergy Charitable Foundation has committed to a $15,000 contribution to the American Red Cross to assist with disaster relief efforts following the tornadoes.
The contribution represents a combined donation from Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant in Vernon, Vt.; the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in Plymouth, and Entergy corporate headquarters based in New Orleans. Entergy owns both Vermont Yankee and Pilgrim, which have employees who live in the affected region.
“We are very grateful for this very generous collective gift,” said Paige Thayer, deputy director of chapter support for the American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter.
“The compassion of individuals and organization both near and far is so heartwarming as our community works toward recovery following these horrific tornadoes.”