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United Way to start distributing flood fund money

JANESVILLE — After the summer flooding displaced Vickie Shelton from her North River Road house, her 28-foot camper became home for nearly six months.

Shelton, who has lived along the Rock River for a decade, is among a dozen Rock County property owners getting the first grants from the United Way flood fund.

The 52-year-old knew something wasn't right when the water crept to levels she'd never seen. By the time the water stopped rising, her home had $50,000 damage.

"I had no idea water could do that. No idea at all. It was devastating," she said.

Without flood insurance, Shelton applied for $10,000 through the United Way flood fund. She'll get $4,000, and that's OK with her.

"There are other people out there who need help, too," she said.

The money, Shelton said, will be used to replace temporary stairs, patio doors and three interior doors.

Of the 20 property owners who applied for assistance from the fund, 12 will receive a total of $25,000.

The flood fund was created in June as a joint effort of the North Rock County United Way and the Stateline United Way.

The fund Monday contained $68,867, including $25,000 from the South Central Wisconsin Builders Association, which received a grant from the national Home Building Industry Disaster Relief Fund.

An additional $43,867 in the fund came from sales of and donations for a video about the summer flooding produced by the late John Gage and his father, Howard Gage.

The fund might continue to grow. The builder's association is applying for more grant money from the Home Building Industry Disaster Relief Fund, and the flooding vides still are for sale.

To qualify for grants, homes had to be uninhabitable and money had to be used for repairs to make homes livable again, Carol Engebretson, executive officer of the builders association, wrote in a press release.

Each application was reviewed by a 16-member committee.

"They looked at receipts received from homeowners for work completed. In some cases, they had to look at the properties involved. They also had to call some vendors," Engebretson said.

Grants went to those with the most immediate needs and the greatest financial hardship, Engebretson said.

"It's our duty to the community to ensure these dollars are making the most impact and to get flood victims back in their homes as quickly as possible," Engebretson said.

The next phase for disbursing more money from the flood food is underway, and applications for help are being accepted.

FOR HELP

Applications are being accepted for commercial or residential Rock County properties damaged by the flood through Jan. 31. To apply, call the United Way of North Rock County office at (608) 757-3040 or visit www.uwnrc.org or www.scwbaonline.com.

FLOODING VIDEOS AVAILABLE

Copies of a DVD video about the summer flooding still are available for purchase. They can be bought by visiting www.uwnrc.org or by calling (608) 757-3040.