BRANTLEY COUNTY, Ga. – Community members gathered at Brantley High School on Saturday for an impact rally aimed at helping families affected by the ongoing wildfires in Brantley County.
The event, hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes along with other organizations, brought volunteers and residents to the school’s track and field, where tents and tables were set up with donated supplies. A Christian band played as people organized and distributed items.
Recommended Videos
Donations included clothing, food, baby items, and pet supplies, and attendees left carrying bags filled with necessities.
Nicole and Kelly Herrin, Brantley County residents who had to evacuate due to the ongoing wildfires, said the gathering provided a place for people to connect and encourage one another.
“It’s so heartening to see how a community can come together in such a big tragedy,” they said.
The Herrins said they came not only for supplies, but to be around others going through the same experience.
“Since we are being impacted, we thought it would be good to just see others in our community going through the same thing and talk to people and try to uplift them and support them,” they said.
Prayer was also a central part of the rally, with volunteers surrounding families and praying with them.
For residents who have lost homes and possessions, the day served as both practical help and emotional support.
Amanda Mitchell, who said she lost everything in the wildfires, described the devastation and the uncertainty that follows.
“I’m lost of words. I pray to God that I can find a new home to go to. I lost all my animals, everything, my daddy’s ashes, everything’s gone,” Mitchell said.
She said she is currently staying in a hotel but is struggling to afford it.
“Right now we’re staying in a hotel and barely afford it and I don’t know what it was to do. I just hope to find a home soon,” Mitchell said.
Pastor Aaron Ellis of Hortense Holiness Church told affected families the community is standing with them as they work to recover.
“You have a community that’s here for you that loves and cares about you,” Ellis said. “But most importantly, that we have a savior who’ll wrap his arms around them, and with the community and him in the middle, we can overcome anything.”