The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) today announced that the United Way of Tri-County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Donation Management System are helping coordinate donation and volunteer efforts for those affected by the June 1st storms in Western and Central Massachusetts.

"As the rebuilding process from the devastating tornadoes of June 1 proceeds, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) encourages individuals and organizations, who wish to assist, to contribute wisely towards the recovery efforts," states MEMA Director Kurt Schwartz. "Ironically, donated goods and volunteers that are not specifically needed in a disaster area can hurt more than help. To that end, the Commonwealth has set up a few processes to help you donate and volunteer."

Those wishing to make monetary donations to assist the most impacted individuals can contribute to the Massachusetts Statewide Disaster Relief Fund. This effort, hosted by the United Way of Tri-County can be found online at www.unitedwaytri-county.org/disaster. These funds will then be distributed in the form of grants to meet the needs of individuals and families through long-term recovery groups recognized by the Massachusetts Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster (MAVOAD).

Members of the public interested in volunteering their time/skills or wishing to donate products/ equipment are encouraged to do so by using the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Donation's Management System at http://www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/FEMA/.

Any questions regarding volunteering or donating can be answered by calling 2-1-1.