Georgia shows its true heart and has turned to help Houston in its time of need.  From Atlanta- based companies such as Coca-Cola, Home Depot, Delta, and the Atlanta Humane Society to arbitrary volunteers.  Many people chose to not evacuate the area in preparation for Hurricane Harvey’s landfall on August 25, 2017. As a result, countless people were left stranded and without basic supplies.

According to press releases, Home Depot has committed to donate $1 million to nonprofit organizations to aid in both short and long-term efforts towards rebuilding and Coca-Cola has pledged $1 million to the American Red Cross. Also pitching in, Delta, relies on its long-term partnership with the Red Cross and flies basic goods, such as water, cots, hot meals, clothing, feminine hygiene products, and more to Houston. On top of its annual donation of $1 million, Delta has also donated an additional $250K to relief efforts.

 

The Atlanta Humane Society joins in on the efforts and frees up space for animals who have been displaced by the storm. With about 100 animals (40 cats and 60 dogs) coming to Atlanta, AHS has temporarily reduced adoption prices on all pets that are over a year old to $0 in hopes of encouraging people to adopt and provide further shelter for incoming animals. AHS is also sending a team to Houston to help rescue animals to bring back to Atlanta who need shelter and care. The humane society is accepting donations from anyone at this time to help with the rescue efforts.

 

In addition to local corporations, some Georgia disaster relief organizations are sending employees and volunteers to parts of Texas in order to aid in the relief efforts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has dispatched 55 American Medical Response ambulance crews, headquartered in Stone Mountain, out to Dallas to receive work orders once they arrive due to the fluidity of the situation. FEMA has provided many resources to the public, offering ways in which to help the victims of the hurricane.

Some Georgians have even decided to take matters into their own hands and volunteer their time to help Texas. Red Cross volunteers Betty and Skip Matson from Monroe, Georgia, head to Baton Rouge to help evacuees from Texas be sheltered and taken care of when they arrive.

Skip says that his “main job’s going to be just coordinate them so that [they] have the right people, the right stuff, in the right place, at the right time.” Footage of the Matsons in action, was documented by WSB-TV Atlanta and can be found here. Volunteers like the Matsons will be there to make sure the hurricane victims are fed and supported during this tough time.