Volunteers with The Home Depot Headquarters in Atlanta receive their day's assignments from OBI's Jody Herrington.

ATLANTA - Team Depot is back in the disaster zone with Operation Blessing.

Like a sports team ready to take the field to win the game, dozens of orange-shirted volunteers from The Home Depot Headquarters in Atlanta huddled up on a Friday morning with Operation Blessing staff, ready to tackle the day’s tasks.

“Who are we?” yelled one volunteer. “Home Depot!” they shouted back.

“What are we gonna do?” he asked again. “Help people!” they cheered.

In just one day, nearly 50 Home Depot volunteers joined Operation Blessing to gut, sanitize and remove damaged furniture from flood-devastated homes.

In late September, nearly 22 inches of rain fell in the Greater Atlanta Metropolitan and surrounding areas, shutting down roads and bridges as well as forcing many families from their homes.

In one day, teams helped more than 11 families by gutting and sanitizing homes, as well as removing damaged furniture.

The teams zeroed in to help families living in the Five Oaks subdivision in Powder Springs, Atlanta, many of whom did not have flood insurance.

“It has really been such an inspiration for me to see how people as a whole can come together and give of their work hours, give of their family time and sacrifice that just to come and help our family,” said Phyllis, a resident of Five Oaks.

“It is priceless – I appreciate Operation Blessing and Home Depot teaming to do such a thing,” she added.

By the end of the day, The Home Depot and Operation Blessing helped more than 11 families take a significant step in the recovery process.

“When I first got in the neighborhood, I couldn’t even picture the water as high as the levels they were explaining to us,” said Narissa, a volunteer with The Home Depot.

“Hearing all the stories about people not having the insurance and all the trials they have to go through on top of losing everything…it makes you want to work really hard…I’m happy to be a part of it,” she added.

Operation Blessing is still onsite in Atlanta and currently accepting volunteer teams of 2 or more to help residents clean out their flood-damaged homes. OBI will provide food, lodging and work coordination. Volunteers are responsible for transportation to and from the work sites.

To volunteer with Operation Blessing or for more information, please call 757.226.3407 or e-mail volunteer@ob.org.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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