On Friday, October 25, 2024, a group of volunteers from the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) sent a convoy of supplies to North Carolina, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The relief effort was started by BCSO Investigator Johnathan Fadden, who felt compelled to act after witnessing the widespread destruction in the state.
"We saw the news, and it just didn’t sit right with us to stand by and do nothing," Fadden said. "We’ve been through our share of hurricanes, like Hurricane Debby and Helene, but this is on another level."
Initially, the plan was to gather a few supplies and take them to the hardest-hit areas in North Carolina. But what started as a small operation quickly grew, as local businesses, churches, and residents from neighboring counties joined forces.
"It’s been overwhelming," Fadden added. "People in our community have gone above and beyond, donating everything from canned goods to propane tanks."
The aid convoy left at 5 a.m. on Friday and headed toward 90 Buckeye Access Road in Swannanoa, North Carolina, a community severely impacted by the floods. On their way, the team stopped in Greenville, South Carolina, to fill up large tanks of water, which will be crucial for residents without access to clean water.
"There’s nothing there," Fadden explained. "The supplies they initially had are gone. Our timing couldn’t be better, and we’re just happy we can help."
The trailers were packed with a variety of items to meet the immediate needs of those affected.
"We’ve got personal hygiene products, sleeping bags, water, canned food, and even some propane tanks. We also made sure to include tools like drills and tarps, things that can help people start rebuilding," Fadden shared.
Fadden expressed his pride in the response from the Bulloch County community, noting that people from all walks of life have stepped up to contribute. "I’m proud to say I’m from Bulloch County. When push comes to shove, we lace up our boots and get to work. It’s just what we do."
He emphasized that the effort wasn’t just about local volunteers, but about a broader sense of responsibility. "It doesn’t matter what your politics are, or where you come from, at the end of the day, we’re all Americans. We’ve got to help each other out when it’s needed most."
The convoy of volunteers consisted of Johnathan Fadden, Austin Williams, Brandon Miller, William Sims, John & Beth Williams, Carson Hamilton, Jose' Gordo, Steve Mascarello, Bubba Revell and Bulloch EMA Director Corey Kemp.
The group of volunteers made a five-and-a-half-hour trip to deliver the supplies, escorted by Lt. Doug Harrell, Sgt. Aaron Cloyd and Cor. Hunter Finch. They drove up Highway 25 to Greenville, South Carolina, and then into North Carolina.
Despite the long hours and hard work involved in making the trip, Fadden is hopeful that their efforts will make a difference. "I just hope that if something like this ever happens to us again, maybe someone will remember how we helped them and pay it forward. That’s what this is all about."
The local effort has brought out the best in the Bulloch County community. Businesses, individuals, and other counties have banded together to make sure North Carolina gets the support it needs in this time of crisis. The group will continue to monitor the situation and will remain ready to offer further assistance if needed.
For now, the community’s focus is on getting supplies to those who need them most. As Fadden puts it, "We don’t know these folks, but at the end of the day, we’d hope someone would do the same for us."
This effort shows how one community can make a huge difference in the lives of people hundreds of miles away, proving that in times of need, Americans can always count on each other.
