Cafaro Foundation gives back to Clarksville following tornado destruction

February 01, 2024

STAFF REPORT - MAIN STREET CLARKSVILLE

The Cafaro Foundation and Governor’s Square Mall have donated $10,000 to Austin Peay State University’s Govs Give Back Emergency Fund. SUBMITTED

The wind has calmed, but the pain continues. On Dec. 9, 2023, at least 11 tornadoes ripped through Middle Tennessee and Kentucky, one of them roaring through the city of Clarksville. It killed four people there and left scores of homes destroyed or badly damaged. 

So many people are still struggling to piece together their lives. To help them get back on their feet, the Cafaro Foundation and Governor’s Square Mall have donated $10,000 to Austin Peay State University’s Govs Give Back Emergency Fund. 

“A few months after a natural disaster, some people stop thinking about it,” said Cafaro Foundation Trustee William Cafaro. “It is vitally important to remember that people are still suffering. We have been part of Clarksville for decades, and we want to support the community in any way we can.  We encourage others to join us.”

The Govs Give Back fund was established by Austin Peay State University to ensure that students, faculty and staff of the University have the resources they need to recover from unexpected financial crises.  The fund may be used to help pay for extraordinary medical expenses, childcare, food, housing or non-routine automotive repairs.

“We are proud of the resilience shown by our Austin Peay students, faculty and staff who were affected by the storms in our area on Dec. 9,” Austin Peay President Mike Licari said. “I want to sincerely thank the Cafaro Foundation and Governor’s Square Mall for their willingness to assist our community members in their time of need. We feel fortunate to have their partnership and this valuable contribution to our Austin Peay family.” 

To learn more about the Govs Give Back Emergency Fund, or to contribute to the tornado recovery effort, visit: www.apsu.edu/ces/sos-food-pantry/sosfunds.php.

The Cafaro Foundation is the philanthropic entity of The Cafaro Company, the parent firm of Governor’s Square Mall in Clarksville. 

The Foundation was established by the Cafaro family in loving memory of William M. Cafaro, the founder of the real estate development and management company that bears his name. 

For more than a half-century, Mr. Cafaro, along with his wife Alyce and brother John A. Cafaro, enthusiastically supported churches, schools, hospitals and other charitable causes.  Since its inception in 1996, the Cafaro Foundation has awarded millions of dollars in grants to worthy organizations and individuals.