“Convoy of Care” provides relief to families in wake of tornadoes

The Georgia Motor Trucking Association has activated the Convoy of Care to help families after severe weather and tornadoes hit several counties in Georgia last week.

The weather affected Coweta and Polk counties in Georgia’s Metro Atlanta area March 25-26.

Through their community partnerships, the Convoy of Care provides disaster relief throughout the Southeast.

The Convoy of Care partners, which include local officials, media, and the trucking industry have been assessing the aftermath of the destruction and the needs of the community this past week.

GMTA is asking for help, especially from the trucking industry. They are in need of toiletries, nonperishable food and cleaning supplies and yard tools (preferably new) to help residents and volunteers clean up the debris.

“This (disaster) hit close to home. Oftentimes we’re traveling to a different state, or a different part of this state, but this one is literally in our backyard,” said Emily Crane, GMTA’s vice president of safety and education. “In the Newnan area, which was really hit hard, there are neighborhoods that are just gone. There are homes gone. The area was just destroyed.”

GMTA is seeking the use of forklifts, tractors and trailers, drivers, gaylord boxes (large, industrial-strength cardboard crates) and other supplies as they expect to transport a large volume of donations.

“Right now, we seem to have most of the driver situation covered, but we never know what the response is going to be until the day of,” Crane said. “Our biggest need right now is forklifts when we go to Newnan, and then our main need is gaylord boxes.”

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