For Sandra Wooten, the sight of fallen trees scattered across her yard after the recent storm was overwhelming. As a single woman living on her own, she wasn’t sure where to turn for help—until a friend recommended to her the Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief team stationed at Southbridge Community Church.
“I can’t even put into words what this means to me,” Wooten said, fighting back tears. “With so many people dealing with trees on their houses and other emergencies, the mess in my yard just wasn’t a priority. But they came out and did the work anyway. It’s meant the world to me.”
Wooten’s yard, while not an immediate hazard, still presented a daunting cleanup task. She had started making calls to find help when she learned about the Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief team offering free assistance. After a quick call, they were on-site the next day to help her, turning what felt like an impossible situation into something manageable.
“It was like an answer to prayer,” Wooten said. “They’ve given me peace of mind, and it didn’t cost me anything. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
The Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief team at her home, led by Bobby Passmore from Barnesville, GA, has been on the ground in Statesboro for nearly two weeks. Passmore, a 15-year veteran of disaster relief work, shared the team’s mission.
“Our main goal is to help people in their time of need, and to show them the love of Christ through our actions,” Passmore explained. “We’re all volunteers, and we come at our own expense. For us, this work is about more than just cleaning up; it’s about giving people hope when they feel like they have none.”
The team prioritizes jobs based on the urgency of the need, with top priority given to the elderly, disabled, and those with immediate hazards such as trees on houses or blocked driveways. For Wooten, who had no immediate danger but still needed help, the team made her feel just as important.
Passmore explained how they assess each situation. “We send out an assessment team first. They rate the job as Priority 1, 2, or 3 based on the level of need. Priority 1s are usually homes with trees on roofs or blocking access, while lower priorities may just need yard debris cleared,” he said. “But no matter what, every job matters because every person matters.”
Anne Johnson, a volunteer from Cedartown, GA, also shared her experience as part of the relief team. “I want women to know they can get involved too. I’m a little woman, and I can run a chainsaw! There’s something for everyone—whether it’s raking, hauling debris, or even running equipment,” Johnson said. “It’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.”
Johnson and her husband, both retired, have been volunteering with the disaster relief team for several years. “We’ve helped people who had no other hope,” she said. “One elderly couple we helped here was so grateful that the wife baked brownies for us the next day. It’s those moments that make it all worth it.”
Wooten echoed that sentiment, saying that the relief team had been a true godsend. “It’s not just about the work they did—it’s the kindness and compassion they showed. I’m forever thankful.”
This is the Georgia Baptist Disaster Teams second deployment to Statesboro in the past two months. They came to help residents recover from Hurricane Debby in August.
The Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief team, which is entirely volunteer-based and funded through the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, will remain in Statesboro for the next several weeks to continue helping those impacted by the storm. With over 100 requests for assistance, they are in need of local volunteers. Volunteers are from all walks of life are welcome to join the efforts, even without formal training.
Passmore encouraged locals to get involved. “You don’t need to know how to run a chainsaw to help. There are so many ways to contribute, from dragging limbs to providing meals. We always need more hands,” he said.
For those interested in volunteering or in need of assistance with trees and debris should visit Southbridge Community Church, 12376 U.S. 301 South in Statesboro, GA to sign up or visit the Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief website to learn more about training and volunteer opportunities.
The work of the Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief team is not just about cleaning up after a storm—it’s about offering hope, healing, and the love of Christ to those who need it most.
Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief along with other organizations have quietly made a difference for so many in our community who were impacted by Hurricane Debby and Hurricane Helene. Grice Connect wants to continue to shine light on the incredible work these heroes are doing in our community. If Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief or any other volunteer organization has showed up to help you or blessed you in any way, we would love to hear about it. Please email us your story at press@griceconnect.com.