CHAPTER FOUR: PARTNERSHIPS 

 

Fortunately, Chatham County was not alone in its labors.  The generous contributions and dedicated efforts of many partners amplified the level of assistance made available to our community.   

 

American Red Cross volunteers from as far away as North Carolina, D.C., Texas, Indiana, Washington State, and California hit the ground running with support from the Chatham/Savannah Authority For The Homeless, setting up shelters in space provided by the City of Savannah for our neighbors affected by the flooding.   

 

Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) then provided space and utilities in available school buildings and made sure all was freshly scrubbed before the first guests arrived.  Together with Savannah Police Department (SPD),  Chatham County Police Department (CCPD), and Chatham County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), they also provided shelter security for support and peace of mind of shelter guests and staff. 

 

Chatham County Public Health staffed the shelters with nurses, and together with Chatham County Fire Department (CCFD), community, paramedics, and Savannah Fire Department (SFD) continually assessed the shelters throughout the activation. 

 

The Salvation Army provided every meal for every mouth -- volunteers and shelter guests alike -- for days on end.  Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia provided food for The Salvation Army to cook and distribute during and immediately after the storm for flood rescue efforts.

 

 

Businesses, churches, and charitable organizations rose with the flood waters to meet the challenges of recovery for the community.  Food distribution to isolated areas was supported by all local law enforcement, fire departments, and specialized units. WalMart waded in to contribute infant and toddler food for the dry food distribution through the fire station at Bradley Point. 

 

 

Supported by The Samaritan’s Purse, America’s Second Harvest, The Salvation Army, The American Red Cross, and Hope City Church, a massive Resource Center at Compassion Christian Church is bringing hearts and hands to help Chatham with the essential work of providing food, water, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items and other necessary resources to those in need.  

 

 

The Crisis Cleanup hotline aids Chatham County residents who need assistance with cleanup after the storm.  It coordinates volunteers to help with debris removal, muck-outs, and other such tasks in affected areas.  The United Way’s 211 information and referral system and the Red Cross are other resources for assistance for residents whose homes sustained major damage.   

 

With the support of strong partnerships such as these, Chatham County is better able to weather what storms may come, to hasten recovery, and to have the resilience to be even stronger in our future. 

 

Continue reading:

Chapter 5: Intentionally Resilient