Plane loaded in Albany, Georgia, headed to help hurricane victims in Bahamas

by Allen Carter,  FOX 31 News

ALBANY, GA -- A plane full of supplies is on its way to the Bahamas. It's going to help some of the victims of hurricane Irene on the island of Eleuthera.

“They are part of our community, no matter where we're at and we love them and if there is a need, we're going to rise to that need and that challenge and make sure they are taken care of,” said Ladonna Urick of Mission Change.

The shipment was organized and packed by Mission Change. It all came together in about a week, but they got a lot of help for people outside of the organization; even outside of the state.

“People came from Roswell, Georgia, which was absolutely incredible. We've had people from Cleveland Ohio, that have sent things and we've had people from Albany Georgia send things and people that have just heard about the need,” said Urick.

Those people also include the pilot, a volunteer from Alabama.

“It’s not like here in the states. Here in the states if we have a problem we all group together. There they don’t have any resources locally, they have to be flown in or brought on a boat,” said Pilot David Robertson.

For many of the hurricane victims, the biggest challenge has been keeping water out of their homes, so the items they're going to be receiving are things like tarp and rope to tie it all down. Items that are going to help keep their houses dry.

“This came at the perfect time, because there are some storms brewing out there and they are really nervous about those storms blowing through, so once they get those items on Tuesday, they will be able to go and tarp all the houses that they can,” said Urick.

“The generator; there is not power on the island so that will serve a small community,” said Robertson.

Mission Change also collected money. They want to use it to help shingle houses for a more permanent solution for some of the victims.

Source:  http://www.mysouthwestga.com