Rome Victim Recovery Fund closing applications

ROME, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, along with Rome mayor Jeffrey Lanigan announced on Wednesday, August 14 that applications for the Rome Victim Recovery Fund will only be accepting applications for one more week.

Picente and Lanigan instituted a date of Friday, August 23 as the last day the fund will accept applications. The fund had been set up by the Community Foundation of Oneida and Herkimer Counties as a way to help the victims of the tornado that touched down in the city on July 16.

“Since the minute the tornado touched down in the City of Rome, our goal was to help those affected as quickly as possible,” Picente said in a statement. “I am extremely proud of the recovery and relief efforts the County and City have led and am grateful for every organization and community member that has stepped up to help. The Rome Victim Recovery Fund has provided immediate relief to those who needed it most and I thank the Community Foundation for being our catalyst to make a difference in their lives.”

As of Wednesday, August 14, the fund had approved 553 applications for more than $1.45 million. Of that, more than a million dollars has gone toward insurance deductible assistance and tree removal assistance.

Oneida County had contributed a million dollars to the fund. The rest of the money disbursed was raised through the Community Foundation and the United Way.

“On behalf of the City of Rome, I extend my gratitude to Oneida County and the Oneida Herkimer Community Foundation for their swift and compassionate response in establishing the Rome Victim Recovery Fund,” Lanigan said in a statement. “In the critical days following the devastating July 16th tornado, this fund provided essential support to those most affected, helping our community begin the healing process. Your partnership has made a profound difference during this challenging time, and we are deeply thankful for your commitment to Rome’s recovery.”

Applicants were eligible to receive up to $5,000 for various repair and recovery efforts.

If you need assistance from the fund, their phone bank will continue to be open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday until the closing date of August 23. You can contact the phone bank at 315-798-5206. Those interested in donating to the fund may still do so at the link here.

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