Local

Convoy of Care: Georgians turn out in full force to support Newnan tornado victims

NEWNAN, Ga. — It has been one week since tornadoes devastated parts of north Georgia. But in the aftermath of the storm, Georgians have turned out to support their neighbors.

Channel 2 Action News activated our Convoy of Care to collect donations in three different locations in Newnan, Woodstock and Atlanta for the tornado victims. Online monetary donations are also accepted here.

“The need is still here and it will be here for the next few weeks. That’s what we were talking about the supplies— we have so many and I told ‘em, it don’t end this week,” Coweta County Sheriff Lenn Wood said.

Channel 2′s Mark Winne has been in Newnan all day to see the heartwarming turnout. Even some survivors of the storms stopped by to donate.

“My damage wasn’t as severe as some people. So I thought I might as well help out because I can and I was fortunate to not have my house completely ruined,” Katylynn Buhler said.

Local law enforcement from around metro Atlanta stopped by the Newnan location at Delta Community Credit Union.

“When people drop off, when they reach out of their community to help out, that just warms my heart because it’s really all of us in stuff together,” Gwinnett police Sgt. Eric Rooks said. “When something affects one part of the Atlanta region, it really affects all of us and we’ve gotta just come through and help them out.”

RELATED STORIES

At First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Bob Davis said he can relate to what his fellow Georgians are going through.

“When I was a kid, our farm got nailed by a tornado, so I know what it’s like,” Davis told Channel 2′s Carol Sbarge.

Whether they survived a tornado like Davis or know someone who survived one, people across metro Atlanta want to give what they can.

All day long Woodstock police collected the donated items and loaded them up into trucks at the church. Since the first Convoy of Care in 2016, Georgia Motor Trucking Association members have donated their time and trucks to help.

Thursday’s drive filled up seven truckloads of donations.

“Anytime we’ve activated the Convoy of Care they respond and bring trucks to make this stuff happen,” Emily Crane said.

The donations will be dropped off on Friday at the Newnan Fairgrounds. If you didn’t get a chance to donate supplies, donations will be accepted Friday at the fairgrounds.

Items accepted are toiletries, non-perishable food items, learning supplies and yard tools (gently used yard tools will be accepted).

The Convoy of Care is supported by our nonprofit partner Caring for Others, the Georgia Motor Trucking Association and metro Atlanta law enforcement agencies including the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, Atlanta Peach Movers, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, City of Atlanta Department of Corrections, Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, City of Dunwoody Police Department and City of Woodstock Police Department.