NARROWS, Va. (WDBJ) – For some people in Giles County, this holiday season may look a little different since Hurricane Helene swept away or damaged their homes, but the county is making sure those victims of the flood will have a good Christmas.
When Hurricane Helene hit Giles County, it left around 90 people without homes.
“I was about 28 feet above the flood and it still took my camper and all my boats,” said Shawn Gough, a resident impacted by Helene.
The county quickly placed all the families in new homes and Wednesday night at the Narrows Fire Department, they were honored with a special Christmas dinner as a reminder that once again, they will not be left behind.
“I’m really glad we are not homeless through the holidays and it’s great to see everyone come together, put all that money together and come together as a unit,” said AJ McNabb, a resident impacted by Helene.
On top of all the food and Santa Claus greeting everyone, adults were given a thousand dollars from money donated by dozens of donors.
The children also opened up their Christmas gifts from the Montgomery County Christmas Store.
From local churches to law enforcement, AEP and the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, everyone joined to celebrate how far they’ve come in helping one another and the new friends made along the way.
“It has been so fantastic to be a part of something so special, not just to me, but people’s real lives and who needed the help and I was so honored to help,” said Carson Manternach, Regimental Commander of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets.
The flood victims say without their tight-knit community’s support, they would not have a roof over their heads and a place to have Christmas.
Copyright 2024 WDBJ. All rights reserved.