AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – More than a year after Hurricane Helene devastated the area, volunteers from across the country continue cleanup efforts in Augusta, helping families rebuild their lives one home at a time.

Annie Thompson remembers her daughter’s house well. But on the early morning of September 27, everything changed.

“When the tree came, it came; that window came all the way through. It came right here, really close to where they were sitting,” Thompson said.

The home was supposed to be their safe place after losing a home to a tornado in Burke County and another to a fire. But Helene crushed those hopes. The house now sits unrecognizable, having been destroyed for more than a year while the family looked for an answer on how they could move back in.

That answer came from an unexpected place. Dale Sink and his group of volunteers with Christian Disaster Services are working on houses across Augusta, a year and a half later.

“It’s rewarding to help somebody who needs help,” said Sink, whose life’s work is helping people with nowhere else to turn.

The crew has experience with major disasters. “Hurricane Katrina. And then after that, we were in Joplin, Missouri, where a tornado went through there,” Sink said.

This crew has been a lifeline for Annie’s family, fixing their home plank by plank at no cost. But they’re not the only ones still rebuilding the community.

More than 100 volunteer workers gathered under one roof for a dinner in South Augusta. The Greater Augusta Long Term Recovery Committee recognizes the work they’ve put in.

“We are eternally grateful for your sacrifice to be here, we thank you and I tell everybody… you are angels to us,” said Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson.

Deke Copenhaver, executive director of the Greater Augusta Long Term Recovery Committee, said the work continues to make a difference.

“To see the homeowners, once again, people that had trees on their house for over a year, that probably thought they were never going to get assistance, but we will continue to do this work as long as it takes,” Copenhaver said.

The celebration served as a show of thanks as people from across the country continued to pour in to restore lives and community.

The effort is managed through the United Methodist Committee on Relief and the Greater Augusta Long Term Recovery Committee. On Wednesday, they had 80 volunteers working 18 different sites, with relief and rebuilding still flowing through the community.

More information on the work being done and how to donate can be found at https://cfcsra.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4432

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson is planning to announce his re-election campaign Friday evening.

The announcement will take place at the monthly Food Truck Family Friday, 4104 Windsor Spring Road, at 5 p.m.

Johnson launched Food Truck Family Fridays in 2022 during his initial campaign for mayor as a way to bring families together, support local entrepreneurs and reinvest in Augusta.

The evening will feature live music by Tara and the Snacks and food from a variety of local food vendors.

Johnson was sworn in January 2023.

“This city that I love so much, where I was born and raised. The son of a school bus driver, who grew up in all of the challenges of crime and poverty,” he said.

In June 2022, Johnson won a runoff election against opponent Steven Kendrick.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One man died Wednesday evening at a hospital after a shooting on Winesap Way, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials said deputies located a male victim with a gunshot wound about 7:30 p.m. on the 3400 block of Winesap Way.

The victim was transported to Wellstar Medical Center, where he died, the agency said.

Violent crime investigators and crime scene technicians were on the scene until around 10:30 p.m.

Our News 12 crew reported a large number of sheriff’s deputies, K-9 units and drones on the scene.

At the home, investigators focused on a damaged vehicle in the yard.

The car, which had damage and debris across it, was photographed by investigators.

The tow truck arrived about 10:20 p.m. to remove the vehicle from the property, but the exact connection between the vehicle and the shooting remains unknown.

The home itself also showed damage to its side wall, according to our News 12 crew.

Neighbors say this is a quiet neighborhood where the most interesting thing that usually happens is speeding.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of the victim’s family by the Richmond County Coroner’s Office.

Coroner Mark Bowen says an autopsy has been scheduled.

Authorities have not released information about possible suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 706-821-1020. Callers can remain anonymous.

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