Locals collecting for storm relief efforts

Jan. 28--Massive storms roared throughout Georgia last weekend, and while the impact was felt locally, it does not compare to the devastation wreaked in the south and southwest portions of the state.

Williams Funeral Home is collecting donations of requested relief materials at its three locations in Milledgeville, Gordon and Eatonton to aid those who have been affected in Albany.

Some of those materials include:

--nonperishable foods;

--school supplies;

--toiletry items;

--diapers, wipes and formula;

--gallon and quart size resealable bags;

--reusable shopping bags; and

--dog and cat food.

Gov. Nathan Deal took both a driving and aerial tour of affected areas earlier this week. A press release on his website dated Jan. 26 states: "Gov. Deal Nathan Deal today received notice from the White House and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that six counties impacted by the severe weather on Jan. 21 and 22 have been approved for individual assistance. Deal has also requested individual assistance for the remaining 10 counties under the state of emergency."

The six counties approved for assistance include Berrien, Cook, Crisp, Dougherty, Turner and Wilcox.

The release states that after his conversations with Pres. Donald Trump and FEMA, he is "confident" the remaining 10 counties will approved for assistance soon.

The local funeral home already sent one load of goods down to Albany Friday and will make additional runs based on the number of donations accepted.

"We've had an overwhelming response so far," said Cameron Williams, funeral director. "It's wonderful that our community has done what we have so far. In just a short amount of time we were able to put together a lot of items and get things down there. That speaks a lot for our community that this is home and we all can work together for the greater good. We just can't thank Milledgeville enough."

The Milledgeville location of Williams Funeral Home is located at 1670 N. Jefferson St.

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