When Hurricane Helene struck Coffee County on
Sept. 26, 2024, it left behind devastation unlike anything the community had
ever experienced. Homes were destroyed, roads were impassable, and thousands
were left without power for weeks. But amid the wreckage, Hope for Coffee
emerged as a beacon of resilience and recovery.
"Even in our darkest moments, our community remains hopeful," says Devis Burnam, Executive Director for Hope for Coffee. "Together we can rebuild lives, restore families, and revive our community — one day at a time."
Hope for Coffee is a faith-based organization that unites churches, leaders, and volunteers to provide disaster relief and long-term recovery assistance. Born out of necessity, Hope for Coffee was established when the Hope Initiative, a Kentucky-based nonprofit experienced in disaster relief, connected with local leaders. City of Douglas Mayor Tony Paulk reached out to Grace Point Church, and from there, Hope for Coffee took root as the central hub for organizing volunteer efforts.
The storm's destruction was vast — giant oak trees crashed through roofs, tornados ripped apart homes, and the county faced an estimated 3 million cubic yards of debris. With no immediate access to FEMA or the Red Cross, the community had to rely on itself. Volunteers armed with chainsaws cleared roads, while church and community volunteers canvassed almost 6,000 homes to assess needs.
Hope for Coffee quickly built a digital database to track damage and coordinate aid. Leaders divided the county into nine quadrants, knocking on doors and identifying the most vulnerable: uninsured homeowners, the elderly, and disabled residents who needed urgent assistance.
Mennonite Disaster Relief (MDR), an organization based in Pennsylvania that rotates teams from across the U.S. and Canada to provide free labor, arrived in Coffee County within weeks to join local volunteers and has remained ever since.
Among those helped was a 76-year-old woman who lost two back rooms of her house. Unable to afford a new mortgage, volunteers removed the rooms and added a new exterior wall. She didn't have to move and used her insurance payout to donate to Hope for Coffee, ensuring others could also rebuild. Another case was a disabled veteran who injured himself while trying to fix his roof. Volunteers not only repaired his home but also discovered and fixed a plumbing leak. Six months later, many in Coffee County still live under tarps, battle mold damage, and struggle to return to normal.
"Our biggest challenge remains finding and assisting those most in need," says Devis. "There are 43,000 people in Coffee County, many who still need help, and the only way to connect is by knocking on their door. That takes a lot of time, money and effort. But we can do it."
Hope for Coffee continues its mission to restore homes and lives. To support their efforts, donations can be made via CashApp ($hopeforcoffee) or mailed to PO Box 71, Douglas, GA 31534.
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