The small Kansas community of Harveyville was devastated by an F-2 tornado which damaged more than 40 percent of the community on Tuesday, Feb. 28, killing one and injuring 13 others. In the aftermath of the storm, more than 1,600 volunteers have rallied to help the citizens clean up debris.
 That is where the United Way is stepping in, said Julie Bugner Smith, executive director of the United Way of Central Kansas. “We are trying to get the word out to the community that if they would like to assist in helping the community, they know who to contact.”
United Way offices across the state are getting into the picture, she said.
Early efforts in the immediate aftermath of the storm were coordinated by United Way of the Flint Hills and the United Way of the Plains. Long-term recovery will be coordinated through United Way of Greater Topeka’s offices. United Way offers no administrative fees attached to these Tornado relief funds with 100 percent of every dollar collected sent to help residents of Harveyville. United Way’s funds will be audited, and United Way will provide the Harveyville city council with monthly reports of revenues and expenses.
The Harveyville city council and Mayor Dustin Kuntz voted unanimously during their regular monthly council meeting Monday to endorse United Way for its long-term recovery planning and fundraising efforts.
 Long-term recovery will entail United Way convening a committee of all community partners with available resources, said Jami Reever, United Way of the Flint Hills executive director. Case managers will assist residents and serve as a liaison to the committee to provide updates and help residents request financial assistance after exhausting insurance and other available resources. “The goal of long-term recovery is to get people back into their homes as quickly as possible.”