Local Long Term Recovery Group Helping To Rebuild Area

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The newly formed Long Term Recovery Group of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties is currently working to help homeowners rebuild from the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, while also preparing for future disasters.

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.

“Amy and I have been going out in the community to see these homes. She receives a list of homes, and goes and assesses the property. I tag along and get a material list of what is needed to fix the home and get it to Handy Andy, who gets the materials together for us. Handy Andy has been a huge partner in all of this,” Partin emphasized.

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.”

Partin added, “We have seen homes that people still had tarps on their roofs and leaks. They were living in not the best conditions because they could not afford to move or live anywhere else.”

The pair shared that one aspect of the effort that had been rewarding was the ability of the group to complete work on mobile homes, which were not eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid.

According to Partin, each project averages around $3,500, depending on the extent of the damage. Workers have even completed projects as complex as full roof replacement and window emplacements. “They’re even working today to lift one side of a home because a tree fell on it and has tilted it,” Partin shared. “It’s not just basic work – it’s in depth stuff.”

This work is being completed by organizations that have come alongside the Group to serve the community, such as the Mennonite group that is currently working throughout Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties. “They currently have three crews here and have been working since December,” Cruz remarked. “They will be here until March, then the United Methodist Church (UMC) Corps will come in.”

Cruz and Partin raved about the speed with which the Mennonites work, as they stated that whole streets of homes had been repaired during their time in the area, as they have repaired over 45 homes.

The pair shared that the response to the work is what inspires them to continue on.

“I’ve fallen in love with this community even more through this because we’re getting to know our community members on a more personal level,” Partin commented. “We had one lady who could not believe that she was getting her home repaired without it costing her anything. She was probably in her mid to upper 70s and her home was more than she could stand now that her husband had passed away. She just couldn’t keep it up anymore, and it was overwhelming her. She said that her insurance company had written her a check for around $300 for hurricane damage, and she didn’t even cash it because she was disputing it. She cried and was amazed we were doing it for free. It’s a blessing to be a blessing.”

Cruz added, “It’s been humbling and an honor to see how grateful and relieved these families are. A lot of these families either have physical disabilities, or children who live in the home, or illnesses, or cannot afford to move. We had one lady who was a nurse her whole life, but has now developed an illness and is unable to work. It was really cool to be able to help her after she’s helped so many people in our community.”

The group is continuing to look for homes to continue repairing, as the group recently was approved for an additional $60,000 grant. To be eligible for this repair, individuals must own their home and must have received the damage from Hurricane Helene; currently, the group is only working on homes with structural damage to the residence.

Priority will be given to homes of handicapped individuals, children, elderly, and/or veterans.

To apply, contact the group by calling Cruz at (912) 388-2206 or emailing amy.gohrco@gmail. com.

OVER 45 HOMES – Since arriving in December, the Mennonites have repaired over 45 homes in the area.