ATLANTA — Tornado victims in South Georgia are getting much-needed help from volunteers in metro Atlanta.
Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne traveled with the Convoy of Care to deliver supplies to the storm-ravaged area.
Atlanta nonprofit Caring For Others Inc. partnered with Channel 2 WSB-TV, law enforcement agencies throughout the state, the Georgia Motor Trucking Association and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to help raise money for South Georgia residents who survived last month’s outbreak of deadly tornadoes.
“I lost my trailer,” storm victim and mother-of-three Barbara Simmons told Winne. “It’s hard to even think about the storm and what we lost in it.”
Truck driver Herschel Evans said Holland Inc. donated the use of a big rig, and he gave his time, to haul a load of relief supplies from Caring For Others. Georgia Coachlines also donated a bus to take volunteers to Albany and back.
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Once the convoy arrived at a church gym in Albany, volunteers quickly set up and then distributed everything from clothes to car seats to the people who lost so much in the storms.
“It made my heart melt. It’s warm on the inside. Put a real big smile on your face,” said one storm victim, who only identified herself as Carlita.
“You’re going to see people come in here today, who, if it were not for this, they may not have a meal tomorrow,” said the Rev. Daniel Simmons, of the Mount Zion Baptist Church. “This is going to bring relief in a way that's unimaginable.”
Caring For Others founder Eslene Shockley said she was thrilled to partner with Channel 2, law enforcement organizations and others to deliver help to a place hammered by tornadoes.
“I feel good to know that we are able to give them back some dignity,” Shockley said.
“This is a visible way that law enforcement can reach out and help other people,” Dunwoody police Chief Billy Grogan told Winne.
“This outside help is a true blessing to all of us,” storm victim Christina Moore said.
If you would like to donate, you can do so by visiting the Caring For Others website.
Checks may be mailed to Caring for Others, Inc., 3537 Browns Mill Road, SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30354. Please indicate that you are donating to South Georgia Tornado Relief.
Cox Media Group
