Donation drop-off site asking for more volunteers in Brantley Co.

NAHUNTA, Ga. (WTOC) - As flames travel through acres of land in Brantley County, volunteers are stepping up to help those in need.

“Let’s work together, let’s make sure these people are taken care of,” said Celia Floweris, a volunteer in Brantley County.

“We’ve been busy but in a good way. It’s been chaos in a good way,” said Christa Graham, program assistant with the UGA Brantley County Extension 4H Department.

Car trunks and truck beds are filled with clothes, toys, water and more.

Men’s, women’s and children’s clothes are being organized throughout the UGA Brantley County Extension buildings near the elections office in Nahunta.

People are scouring through the bins and tables to find things left behind in a split-second decision.

“They don’t know if their house is there or not there. They don’t know if their items are still there or not,” Graham said. “And every time the wind changes, it’s a new proposed risk of their homes and things being lost again and emotions are high.”

The center is asking for underwear.

Around 14 pallets of water dropped off a few days ago are now in short supply.

Volunteers are needed, even for 30 minutes. The center is operating every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“You want a smiling, happy face, welcoming people who are in a tragic time,” Graham said.

It’s not just community members scouring through the bins and tables who are heartbroken.

Floweris said firefighters they delivered food to earlier in the day are showing signs of strain and stress.

“They’re heartbroken. You can tell that all the feelings and emotions kind of drained out of them,” Floweris said. “Especially around here, you see so much love and happiness around here and you’re like, ‘Lord, just give it to those [at the] fire department. Give it to them.’”

How to help:

• In-person or mail donations can be made to Brantley County Family Connection at 10305 Main Street, Nahunta, GA 31553, or P.O. Box 1011, Nahunta, GA 31553.
• Donations can also be made online via PayPal to Brantley County Family Connection.
• Officials noted that residents seeking financial assistance from organizations other than Brantley County Family Connection or the American Red Cross may be ineligible for FEMA assistance.