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The Year of the River designation took on a whole new meaning on Friday, June 13, 2008. The Cedar River at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, crested at a historic 31.2 feet and flooded more than 10 square miles or 14 percent of the city.
With more than 5,000 homes and 700 businesses damaged or destroyed by floodwaters, it's been a year of tireless work by local residents and volunteers from around the country to rebuild the community.
A year later, thousands of residents struggle to rebuild their homes and businesses. Entire neighborhoods are silent with homes rotting. Businesses are fighting to stay open in the midst of a recession. But even with this despair, there is progress, hope and a sense of resiliency among us all – we will be a better community in spite of the disaster!
Philanthropy plays an important role in Cedar Rapids’ flood recovery. Your community foundation – the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation – is tremendously grateful for the individuals, families and businesses that have donated to the flood funds at the GCRCF. To date, $5.62 million has been donated to the Flood 2008 Fund and future contributions help our community recover and rebuild.
Donations are greatly appreciated and may be made by phone with a credit card (please ask to speak with Jean Brenneman) or send a check to:
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation
Attn: Flood 2008 Fund
200 First St. SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
As of April 1, 2010, the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation has awarded $5.5 million in grants from the Flood 2008 Fund to 76 local nonprofits who serve the greater good and are working to improve our community. Nonprofits have provided immediate food and shelter, supplies and equipment kits for flood clean up, child care for flood-affected households during clean up and rebuilding, free legal assistance, home furnishings and appliances, mental health and substance abuse services and much more.
Corridor Recovery (official flood recovery Web site)
http://www.corridorrecovery.org/
"Resilience: the Spirit of Humanity" – Flood Documentry
http://www.mvpvisualmedia.com/
"In Deep Water" – City of Cedar Rapids Flood Video
http://www.cedar-rapids.org/community/floodinfo2008.asp
"Building the Road to Recovery" - Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce Flood Video - http://blip.tv/file/1293921/
Inside the PGA Tour, Zach Johnson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, flood tour video - http://www.pgatour.com/video/?/video/video/pga-tour/features/2008/10/27/feat_johnson_iowa_floods_08inside44.pgatour
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