Helping Hands Volunteers Work Locally After Tropical Storm Zeta

For many Helping Hands volunteers, providing help to those in need following a disaster has become part of their lives. Following Hurricane Sally, volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints numbered more than 6,000 who helped homeowners in Alabama and Florida. But in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Zeta, these experienced Helping Hands volunteers from congregations throughout the greater Atlanta area stayed home and helped their neighbors.

For the Stilesboro Ward in Kennesaw, they started with meeting the needs of ward members who had fallen trees and lawns littered with debris from the strong winds. Dan Anderson was one recipient of such help and told some of his neighbors about it during a Fall Hayride for the children. While their children ran to doors Trick-or-Treating, B.J. Abbott told Dan his yard was littered with fallen trees. As Dan listened, he said, “I thought if our volunteers can travel to Pensacola to help those in need, we can certainly do his yard.”

Dan called David Craig, an experienced Helping Hands volunteer and president of the ward’s elder’s quorum, who assessed Abbott’s needs. After determining they could cut up their five huge trees and clear the debris that covered more than two acres, they sent out texts and emails to members of the congregation and posted the project on the ward’s Facebook page. Saturday morning more than 40 volunteers showed up with chainsaws, rakes, gloves, and plenty of donuts.

“It was amazing,” said Parri Abbott, B.J.’s wife. “So many people showed up to help us! We are so blessed and thankful for everything.”

Stephen Snow, bishop of the Stilesboro Ward summed up the efforts by saying, “There’s nothing that makes you feel more Christian than giving service to others. It has really brought us together as a congregation as we try to give Christ-like service at every opportunity.”