CANEY BAY — Every year for 16 years, the Brantley County High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes holds an impact rally for the community.
This year’s rally was simply intended to feature a concert by the group Whosoever South, having already been planned last year. But in light of the raging Brantley County fire, the event was promptly expanded to include a donation drive for fire victims.
“When devastation hit, we felt like God moved it into something bigger, more of an outreach for the community, and for the surrounding counties to be involved in,” said Rowdy Eunice of Whosoever South.
People began dropping off donations at Heron Stadium as early as Saturday morning (April 25).
According to FCA sponsor Tim Thompson, by the end of Saturday night, the entire track was full of supplies, which were all handed out. The generosity didn’t just come from south Georgia residents though.
“I’ve had people from North Carolina, all over Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Florida all coming, bringing stuff to drop off,” Thompson said.
He estimated roughly 1,000 people attended the event during the course of the evening, though many had to leave before the 8 p.m. curfew.
Physical necessities weren’t the only donations accepted at the event, as both Whosoever South and the FCA were raising funds.
According to Thompson, Whosoever South’s Go-FundMe raised $7,000 for firefighters and first responders, while the FCA collected $15,000 for the fire victims.
Thompson thanked the event sponsors, as the rally has always been free.
