African American Mayors Association Stands With Mayor Eddie Melton And Gary, Indiana Residents As Thousands Recover From Power Outages

Photos: YouTube Screenshots|Wikimedia Commons (WASHINGTON, D.C.) — The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) stands in support of AAMA member and Gary, Indiana Mayor Eddie Melton and the residents of Gary and surrounding communities as they recover from the devastating aftermath of the August 11 storm that left hundreds of thousands across Northwest Indiana without power. Nearly two weeks after the storm, thousands of residents remain in the dark, facing severe hardship as they wait for electricity to be restored. Some residents have described conditions in and around Gary as “Katrina-like” and say they are living in “survival mode,” relying on generators, hot meals, volunteers, neighbors and community organizations to meet basic needs while the recovery continues. “It is unacceptable that the people of Gary remain without power two weeks after this storm,” said AAMA President and Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “That’s two weeks of soaring heat without AC, without refrigeration for food and lifesaving medicine. While Mayor Melton continues to serve and advocate for his residents, working around the clock, his city cannot be left to fend for itself during a disaster of this scale. This is not a power outage; it is a humanitarian crisis. AAMA stands firmly with Mayor Melton and the people of Gary, and we join his call to the region, the state, the federal government, and our partners across the country. Gary needs help, and Gary needs it now.” AAMA member mayors and business council members have rushed to help the residents of Gary. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sent assistance to help cut down trees and get power restored. Business council member Lowe’s Corporation provided chainsaws, flashlights, bleach, wipes, batteries, gloves, and other essential supplies. The August 11 storm has placed an extraordinary new burden on residents and shown how quickly a natural disaster can overwhelm a community. AAMA joins Mayor Melton in urging government leaders, businesses, philanthropic organizations, nonprofit partners, and individuals across the country to support Gary’s recovery. Immediate needs remain significant, and continued assistance will be critical as families work to recover from prolonged power outages, property damage, and other storm-related hardships. As Mayor Melton has said in his appeal to the region, state, and nation: “We need help.” The African American Mayors Association echoes that call and urges all levels of government and the broader community to respond with the resources, urgency, and sustained commitment the people of Gary deserve. Resources/Ways to Help Residents affected by the storm are encouraged to dial 211 for information about storm-related resources, damage assistance and available services. Residents should also continue monitoring official City of Gary and NIPSCO updates for the latest information on power restoration, safety and emergency services. For information about the City of Gary’s storm recovery efforts, available resources, ways to assist residents and opportunities to donate, visit gary.gov/stormrecovery Donate to the Greater Gary Storm & Relief Fund – Financial contributions can provide the City and its community partners with flexible resources to address the most urgent needs of residents.  Donate through the following link: https://legacyfdn.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=5554 For ACH or Wire instructions, contact: Chenika Beck, City Controller at cbeck@gary.gov Organize Critical Supply Drives – Communities, businesses, churches, and nonprofits can collect and ship needed supplies to: City Life Community Hub: (225 W. 5th Ave., Gary, IN 46402) Priority items: Bottled water, nonperishable food, cleaning supplies, tarps, work gloves, batteries, flashlights, extension cords, hygiene products, diapers, and other household essentials.  Provide Food Vouchers/Send Food Trucks– Businesses and individuals can donate grocery gift cards to help families replace food lost during prolonged power outages or provide free hot meals to Gary residents and recovery workers. Donate or Loan Tree-Removal Equipment – Contractors and businesses can provide equipment and tools to help clear trees and storm debris. Provide Skilled Crews & Volunteers – Help provide qualified crews and volunteers for cleanup, repairs, supply distribution, and support for residents. Electricians and donors can help repair or replace storm-damaged electrical equipment needed to safely restore power. Connect Gary to Corporate & Philanthropic Resources – Help connect Gary with organizations that can provide financial, equipment, or in-kind support. The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) is the only organization dedicated to representing over 500 African American mayors across the United States. AAMA seeks to empower local leaders for the benefit of their citizens. The role of the AAMA includes taking positions