SETERF Fund distributing $525k to assist Harvey Flood victims
Published 5:05 pm Monday, June 25, 2018
- Courtesy photo Orange County Disaster Rebuild Long Term Recovery Group, through United Way of Orange accepted a donation of $25,000 from Southeast Texas Emergency Relief (SETERF) Fund by Motiva Enterprises LLC to assist Harvey Flood Victims. Members of the Orange County Disaster Rebuild Long Term Recovery Group; Michelle Tubbleville, Kim Stiebig, Russell Bottley and Lori Ardoin are pictured (members not pictured are Ida Schossow and Dave Young) and Maureen McAllister of United Way with representatives of SETERF and Motive representatives accepting the donation.
To The Leader
Southeast Texas Emergency Relief (SETERF) distributed checks totaling $525,000 to six area non-profit organizations at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Board Chairman Robert Edgar’s office, 3440 Eastex Freeway in Beaumont. The funds are part of a $3 million donation earlier this year to SETERF by Motiva Enterprises LLC. They will be used to assist with rebuilding and recovery efforts for flood victims in Jefferson, Hardin and Orange counties.
“These grants to area nonprofits will be used to help families rebuild their homes and access some ongoing urgent needs even now – nine months after the flood,” says SETERF Chairman Robert Edgar. Southeast Texas experienced unprecedented damage from Hurricane Harvey, and SETERF is able to provide ongoing assistance to meet the needs of disaster victims as donations are received through the generosity of businesses and individuals, such as the donations received by Motiva and others.
The following organizations will be on hand to receive checks from SETERF:
- Cathedral in the Pines
- Help, I’m Hurting, Inc.
- I-Connect Outreach
- Nehemiah’s Vision
- Orange County Disaster Rebuild Long Term Recovery Group, through United Way of Orange
- The Texas Annual Conference-United Methodist Disaster Ministries
“We are excited to see our donation being used to get families back into their homes by the end of the summer,” said Greg Lucchesi, general manager of Motiva’s Port Arthur Refinery. “The funds given today are a great example of how we can all come together to serve and support our community.”
SETERF has a board of 25 leading Southeast Texas citizens who make decisions on the distribution of funds. There are no administrative costs and no paid staff. SETERF operates only with volunteers.
The Southeast Texas Emergency Relief Fund (SETERF), a 501 (c)(3) organization, was established in 2005 by attorney Regina Rogers and businessman Joe Penland to address the extensive needs of thousands of individuals affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. SETERF rallied to the cause again after Hurricane Ike hit Southeast Texas in 2008. To date, more than $6.5 million has been distributed to individuals, social service organizations and faith-based organizations.
