NAHUNTA — For many, the Hwy. 82 Brantley County fire has left them with virtually nothing.
No house, no clothes, no basic necessities. Families without a roof over their heads, children without toys, babies without blankets or diapers.
Fortunately, there has been an outpouring of donations and charity as well. Brantley County Family Connections and the UGA Brantley extension office have made their location a hub for donations and aid.
Under the outdoor shelter, racks of clothing and boxes of shoes and toys stand like an outdoor market, while inside, basic toiletries, baby supplies and non-perishable food fill rooms, with volunteers maintaining the inventory.
Dawn Deen, Executive Director of Brantley Family Connection, spoke about the current supply needs.
“Our needs change almost hour-to-hour, depending on what people are coming and looking for,” she said.
Lately, people have been searching for fans, as well as cooking utilities like crock pots and griddles (though nothing with an open flame), cleaning supplies like mops, and non-perishable foods.
Volunteers play a huge role in the group’s operation.
“We have volunteers who have been with us since Day 1 when we started this,” said Dean. “They show up every single day.”
She thanked the University of Georgia for pulling volunteers from neighboring county offices, along with Southeastern Bank and Georgia Power for their volunteers.
“That’s one thing we will not turn away, is a volunteer,” Deen said.
Now, with the fire mostly contained, Family Connections has gone from serving 80 families a day, to serving approximately 20-25 families a day.
One Brantley County resident, Marsha Bailey, who lost everything in the fire, has lived in Brantley County since 1986. She recalled receiving the evacuation warning.
“I live in Brantley County, but it was a Camden County deputy who knocked on my door,” she said.
Despite losing everything, Bailey described herself as “well-blessed” by the influx of community outreach and charity. Her son also found a mobile home for her to rent in the meantime.
Bailey also thanked the firefighters for their efforts.
“Our volunteers, I’m part of the Waynesville Volunteer Fire Department, and our firefighters, our local firefighters, did everything,” she said.
Deen, for her part, thanked her volunteers, and encouraged those in need to pay a visit.
“For the families who are out there, we are a resource,” said Deen.
Family Connections and the UGA extension are open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and 8 a.m.12 p.m. Saturdays.
