The American Land Title Association (ALTA) Good Deeds Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization, has awarded a $5,000 emergency grant to the Community Foundation of Lincoln County. The Foundation’s Shelter Fund was established to assist members of the Lincoln County, N.M., community who recently experienced the loss of their homes due to local fires or flooding.
The South Fork and Salt wildfires near Ruidoso, N.M., and the Mescalero Apache Reserve claimed two lives and destroyed nearly 1,400 homes and structures. More than 25,000 acres were burned in June. Changes in the landscape caused by the fires contributed to dangerous flash flooding conditions. The area has been subjected to 19 flash flood emergencies, including multiple evacuation orders and National Guard responses, during June and July.
The ALTA Good Deeds Foundation Board awarded the emergency grant to aid residents whose homes were uninhabitable following the Lincoln County devastation.
“ALTA and its members are heavy-hearted for our loved ones and communities impacted by the tragedies in New Mexico,” ALTA CEO Diane Tomb said. “We know there are many other national devastating weather-related disasters, but we hope this emergency grant from the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation will help fund shelter needs for those who have lost the basic necessity of a place to call home.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with New Mexicans, especially those who lost a loved one or no longer have a home or business,” said Foundation Board Chair Mary O’Donnell, president and CEO of Westcor Land Title Insurance Co. in Maitland, Fla. “With ALTA members’ support of the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation, we are able to provide this emergency grant.”