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Selma Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG) Committee Chairman Jay Gilmer was the guest speaker at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church’s Women of the Church Luncheon held Feb. 6. 

Gilmer discussed the group’s purpose, which is to provide recovery services to individuals and families affected by the tornado that devastated parts of Selma and Dallas County on Jan. 12, 2023 . 

“It is a privilege to help our fellow citizens who need assistance recovering from the tornado,” Gilmer said. “The goal of the LTRG is to see all of our fellow residents fully recover from the disaster.”

A graduate of Morgan Academy, Gilmer provided information on outcomes achieved during the recovery effort by the group’s 15 members and partner organizations, including the rebuilding or purchase of 16 new homes, 180 individuals being helped and 351 additional people still needing help.

“It’s a long-term recovery process,” Gilmer said. “There’s a lot more to be done. Our focus is working with people who don’t have the resources or insurance.”

​​Gilmer said the Selma LTRG’s operating structure has three parts: case management, funding and donations management and construction management.

Major organizations assisting with the tornado recovery include the Black Belt Community Foundation, United Way, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Lutheran Disaster Response, Blue Jean Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Brown Chapel AME Church, Team Rubicon, Gospel Tabernacle and Edmundite Missions. 

Gilmer praised the City of Selma and Mayor James Perkins Jr. for their assistance and help lead the way.

“The City of Selma has been good to work with,” Gilmer said. “The city has accommodated us.”

Gilmer said he is honored to help his hometown recover from the tornado.

“Working with LTRG has been a humbling experience,” Gilmer said. “It’s been really impactful for me. I’m  really grateful to help.”