Donations Needed To Keep Recovery Crews in Toombs County
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Toombs County, City of Vidalia, and City of Lyons officials are asking the public to consider donating to the Toombs Strong campaign, as they must raise $50,000 within two weeks to keep recovery crews working in Toombs County.
Currently, crews of Mennonite men and women have been working to repair homes damaged during Hurricane Helene throughout Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties under the supervision of the local long-term recovery group.
The Group was formed after the United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties received a grant through the American Red Cross for storm recovery. After receiving the grant, United Way officials, leaders from the cities of Vidalia and Lyons, and administrators from Gardens of Hope Recovery Community Organization (RCO) met to determine the logistics of forming a long-term recovery group, as they agreed to combine the grant money with leftover Wheeler Strong, Montgomery Strong, and Toombs Strong funding.
After the meeting, it was determined that Gardens of Hope RCO Executive Director Jimbo Partin, Certified Peer Specialist Parent Amy Cruz, and Office Manager Ashley Garner would lead the group, as they worked to repair damaged homes. To lead the Group, Cruz serves as the Case Manager, Partin serves as the Construction Manager, and Garner serves as the Data Coordinator; all funds are distributed by United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties Executive Director Patricia Dixon.
Partin and Cruz go out to each damaged home, assess them, and determine what supplies are needed for the repair. The list of these supplies is given to Handy Andy, who bundles the supplies and prepares them for pickup. The recovery crews then use these supplies to complete the repairs. Around $380,000 has been spent on materials alone, not including project management or coordination costs.
The group began first repairing homes left on the Toombs Strong list, which collected information from homeowners applying to have assistance in repairing their properties. “A lot of these families have been waiting for a year,” Cruz said. “We’ve finished those homes and have now been taking referrals. It has been a huge, huge blessing to be able to help these people.”
The homes currently being repaired include residences that are not eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid and that are underinsured or uninsured.
Over 100 homes have already been repaired through the American Red Cross grant, and support from the United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties; UMCorp, and the Toombs Strong fund.
Yet, these repairs may end if Toombs Strong does not raise $50,000 by March 17.
“We are at a critical point,” Lyons City Manager Jason Hall remarked. “If we can raise $50,000 [by March 17], we can keep these crews here through the end of the month and continue repairing homes for families who have no other options. If we don’t, the work stops.”
Hall and other officials explained that volunteer labor is donated, but cost for materials must still be covered. The Toombs Strong Fund, which helped to sustain recovery efforts, is now depleted, and the fund for the long-term recovery program will reach zero without immediate donations.
“All disaster relief donations are earmarked specifically for Toombs County,” Hall emphasized. “Every dollar stays here, helping our neighbors.”
Tax-deductible donations can be made online through the Toombs Strong website (www. toombsstrong.com) or over the phone by call the United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties at (912) 537-2776.
