Nationwide community brings hope to victims of Hurricane Michael
“We are going to hurt for a long time," Donalsonville News managing editor David Maxwell said. "But if we make the decision to hurt together and help to build a better tomorrow together, that — at least to me — will make looking at all of this destruction possible without breaking into tears."
Courtesy of Hannah Buczek
Amidst destruction, chaos and heartache, one word describes humanity’s motivator to rebuild: hope.
Despite the mass destruction Hurricane Michael brought to the southeast region, the people of South Georgia and the Florida panhandle continue to pick their lives back up piece by piece.
The hurricane only needed a few hours and winds up to 155 mph to uproot hundred-year-old oak trees, shred metal roofs, turn towns into disaster zones and leave thousands without power for a week or longer. Many relief groups have volunteered to help, including the National Guard. However, the clean-up job will require a much longer span of time than the two weeks since the hurricane hit.
Residents of small town Donalsonville, Georgia, are gaining a new perspective of what it takes to rebuild in the wake of disaster. The managing editor of Donalsonville News, David Maxwell, said he believes that his hometown has the ability and determination to recover through unity.
“Seminole County will indeed survive. We already have,” Maxwell said. “We are going to hurt for a long time, but if we make the decision to hurt together and help to build a better tomorrow together, that—at least to me—will make looking at all of this destruction possible without breaking into tears.”
One example of this community can be found among churches in the area.
First lady of the New Hope Family Worship Center Tracie Bell has been in charge of a distribution center for food and supplies at her church. She said she has eaten hot meals from other churches of different denominations as well. Churches are also providing shelter and showers for those who have been displaced or have come from out of town. According to Bell, the body of Christ is united in one common goal: to meet the needs of others.
Signs and stories of such care are abundant in this area, as neighbors and strangers alike have dedicated themselves to help. Schoolteacher Petra Joyner said she has not been in her classroom since the storm hit, as many schools closed for extended periods due to destruction. However, she has volunteered her time at churches that offer showers, food and supplies.
“The most important impact on me has been watching our neighborhood bond,” Joyner said. “Nothing is mine. Nothing is important except being a friendly member of our community.”
Joyner said she also has met people from places as far as California and New York who migrated in to help with disaster relief. When the power generator at one church stopped working, according to Joyner, a man from Texas arrived unsolicited and donated a new one.
One Floridian has joined with the nonprofit All Things PCB, to distribute massive amounts of food, supplies and, with them, hope.
The managers of this Panama City-based operation, Chris and Laura Jennings, used Facebook to connect with generous donors. The beginning of this operation was a run to Walmart with only their own bank account. Now, this organization involves truck loads of supplies and a multi-state influence.
Florida resident and Lee University alumna Amy Miller has acted as outreach coordinator for All Things PCB, and despite the havoc in her own community, has been fully invested in the project of expanding the influence. She said her favorite part of organizing volunteers is securing health and wellness checks for people.
In addition, Miller has advocated for supplies to be delivered to the people of Donalsonville. She said she knows that rebuilding is a process but has unabashed hope for revitalization.
“We are not done. There are still hurting people. There are still babies crying with hunger. There are still schools that need help re-opening to educate our children, and there are still entire families displaced all over,” Miller said. “But I believe in the people of this region and their desire to return to the little community that most know as ‘the world’s most beautiful beaches.’”
To learn more about how to help those affected by Hurricane Michael, visit the Weather Channel's resource page.
