• Nathan Lawson

The Heart of Lakeland

Lakeland, Georgia (October 2, 2024) – The sun began to break through the clouds on a warm early-October day in Lakeland, Georgia, casting a soft glow over a town still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The usually quiet streets were now bustling with activity as The Salvation Army mobile canteen rolled into the parking lot of the Old Primary School. Once a place where young children learned and played, the school had now become an emergency distribution center for the nearly 3,000 residents of the town. The shift from education to survival was evident as a long line of people quickly formed—men, women, and children, all impacted by Helene’s devastating winds and floods. Families and individuals waited patiently, their faces a mixture of exhaustion and hope, as they stood in need of hot meals, cold drinks, ice, tarps, and other essential supplies to help them recover and begin the repairs on their homes. Though the storm had passed, its effects lingered, and the community had come together in this moment of shared hardship, finding solace in the simple act of receiving help.

Madison Webrand and her father, Jason, approached the mobile unit eagerly, asking if they could help hand out meals to those in need. Less than two months ago, Madison had started her first year teaching fourth graders at the local elementary school, and the storm had added an unexpected layer of stress to her already busy life. She and her father had taken refuge at her grandmother’s home, which had become a safe haven during the intense winds and torrential rains. "It was an intense storm," Madison reflected, her eyes scanning the line of people waiting for meals. "I came here because I know a lot of people who need this. It felt like the right thing to do." With a teacher’s natural instinct to help, she wanted to give back to the community that had supported her through the chaotic start of her career. Jason, standing beside her with a quiet nod of agreement, was just as eager to pitch in, his protective instincts driving him to ensure that those around him had the support they needed during such difficult times. The storm may have passed, but the road to recovery was only just beginning, and Madison and her father were determined to be a part of it.

Along with the local Corps, The Salvation Army currently has a fully operational Incident Command Center in Valdosta and surrounding towns with close to 30 personnel addressing the needs of those affected by Hurricane Helene, serving residents as they begin to restore their lives. We are there to provide a meal and a cold drink and hope during this difficult time. We are The SALVATION Army, here to meet human need in the name of Jesus Christ without discrimination.

The Salvation Army of Georgia is uniquely positioned to support people affected by Hurricane Helene. Our network of trained disaster staff and volunteers are deployed to several locations across all potentially affected areas in preparation to provide food, hydration, clean-up kits, hygiene supplies, and emotional and spiritual care to first responders and survivors.

If you would like to donate towards Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts, please call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) or you can donate online at helpsalvationarmy.org