APSAF/SESAF Hurricane Relief

APSAF/SESAF Foresters Hurricane Relief Fund

This GoFundMe page was originally created by the Appalachian Society of American Foresters (APSAF) to support financial relief for Society of American Foresters members in the Hurricane Florence impact zone, but it has been expanded to support members in the Hurricane Michael impact zone as well, particularly affecting SAF Members in Southeastern SAF (SESAF). 

Hurricane Florence made landfall September 14th and crept at a rate slower than a walk across the Carolinas causing historic flooding there and and beyond. Hurricane Michael came ashore on the panhandle of Florida on October 9th near Category 5 and moved with devastating force and speed through Georgia and into the Carolinas. As a result of both hurricanes, widespread ruin is the norm in many major parts of our forestry community.

The Situation

Since the inception of this project, APSAF has processed nearly $10,000 in donations and distributed $1000 relief checks to each of five SAF members in the Carolinas. A number of members reached have declined the support, wishing others receive it first, yet we know that there are more to locate. But we don't know who, how many, or how long this will take. With your help, we start the search now for our colleagues who could use some relief in SESAF as well. The full situation will be unclear in both zones for some time, so the relief project will be ongoing at least through the end of the 2018 as we do our best to facilitate your donations and find colleagues who need and will accept our help. 

The Request

As a result, we are extending this central mechanism to collect tax-deductible donations. Your donations here (minus only the GoFundMe percentage and transaction fee) or by check will go directly to APSAF members whom we learn have suffered significantly as a direct result of these two hurricanes. Those who have one or more of the impacts below and who apply will receive $1000 from this fund as long as the funds are there to send, and that's where you come in. 

The Criteria

An SAF member who suffers one or more of the following as a direct result of the storm will qualify for this support:

1.  Personal injury
2.  Extended loss of power
3.  Home flooding
4.  Relocation or evacuation
5.  Shortage of food and water
6.  Severe property damage unlikely to be covered by insurance

The link to the Relief Application can be found on the APSAF homepage at www.apsaf.org. Please note that this support is not and cannot be for loss of business or income, only for the situations described above.

The Process

APSAF and SESAF are broadcasting this request across the SAF community and partner groups, so please pass it along yourself. Donation and Application links are posted on the APSAF website at www.apsaf.org. As sufficient funds are at our disposal and members in need are located who can receive a check in some way, checks will be distributed to affected members as soon as possible. As a result of your donation, you will receive documentation of your contribution by email, so please enter the information requested by the GoFundMe Page. The project will be subject to audit as part of the association's normal course of business.

If you would rather send a check than enter your donation here, please make your check payable to the "Appalachian Society of American Foresters" (note "Hurricane Relief" on the check) and mail it to APSAF, c/o Tom Davidson, Chair, 15271 West River Road, King William, VA, 23086, and it will be deposited and put to use as quickly as possible. All donations through this GoFundMe Page go automatically to the APSAF treasury for complete distribution for this cause only.  

Please give now and communicate this to others in the forestry and natural resources community. 

We come for professionalism, but we stay for community. 
Thank you for your support. 

Tom Davidson, 2018 APSAF Chair
September 17, 2018 (Updated October 11, 2018)

*APSAF is part of the Society of American Foresters, which is a 501(c)3 organization.