Saturday Repair Scheduled / City Councilmembers and Millard Fuller of the Fuller Center for Housing tour some of area’s most devastated neighborhoods

Saturday repair work scheduled for 1393 Glenwood in
East Atlanta at 8 a.m. Volunteers to completely repair storm damaged home

Categorizing the recovery response as “real help, real fast,” members of the Atlanta City Council praised the many volunteers across the tornado damaged areas of the city Thursday during an extensive tour of some of the most affected areas.

Among the groups lending a helping hand were volunteers with the Fuller Center for Housing, a Americas, Ga.-based non-profit organization dedicated to building and rehabilitating houses for people in need and our city’s own Hands on Atlanta organization.

City Councilmembers were joined Thursday by Fuller Center founder Millard Fuller who’s in town to assess the city’s ongoing needs, particularly among the uninsured and elderly residents impacted by Friday’s tornado.

““I have been impressed and humbled by the volunteer efforts led by neighbors and other good Samaritans who have assisted those who were victims of the tornado,” said City Councilmember Natalyn Archibong. “The volunteer spirit continues in the countless number of people who have stepped up to do everything from cleaning debris off our streets to rebuilding homes damaged by the tornado.”

The tour was sponsored by City Councilmembers Ivory Lee Young Jr., Kwanza Hall, Natalyn Archibong, Lamar Willis, Ceasar Mitchell, Mary Norwood, and C.T. Martin. Councilmembers Young, Hall, and Archibong represent areas directly hit by Friday’s F2 tornado.

“We are doing God’s work for his children. If we don’t’ step up who will,” said Mark Galey, President of the Fuller Center for Housing of Greater Atlanta.

“We don’t know when the next storm will come and if we don’t put these houses back together, the rain will lead to mold build-up and cause a heath concern for these residents,” said Galey. “We have to put our city back together. If everyone does a little, it will happen.”

The Fuller Center will be teaming up with the National Association of The Remodeling Industry Atlanta chapter and Hands on Atlanta to repair the severe damage suffer to a home at 1393 Glenwood Avenue beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 22.

For more information on volunteering visit Hands On Atlanta’s website at www.handsonatlanta.org The Fuller Center can be reached at (404) 835-7728 or www.fullercenteratl.org

“I am always pleased when Atlanta, being the caring community that it is, mobilizes volunteers and resources to assist those most in need,” said City wide Council representative Mary Norwood. “This is our city at its best.”

Ursula Lentine of Atlanta Board of Realty was also on Thursday’s tour. The HBR recently donated $4,000 to assist The Fuller Center in its next housing rehab project.

Lentine said the HBR was happy to assist the community.

“It’s shocking to a family when something like a tornado occurs and destroys their home, which is one of their most precious possessions,” Lentine said. “But to have a complete stranger come to assist you in time of need can be ease the pain. For many people, when that happens, all they have is gratitude.”

The American Red Cross, in conjunction with the City of Atlanta and the Salvation Army, opened a Unified Service Center Monday at Beulah Baptist Church, 170 Griffin Street for people impacted by the recent tornado. The American Red Cross on Thursday opened another unified service center at the Lang Carson Recreation Center, 100 Flat Shoals in East Atlanta. The Red Cross will continue to provide mental health services, health services, and case workers for one-on-one assistance until all emergency needs are met. The Salvation Army will provide family food boxes and lunches to clients. Both centers will be open everyday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.