Local group helps clean up debris from veterans’ homes
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Cleaning up debris from yards and away from roads is tedious and backbreaking work, but what happens if you can’t clear it away yourself?
Whether it’s because of financial or physical reasons, it can be a huge stressor for so many, including our veterans.
That’s why this week, Sweat with a Vet stepped up to help clear the yards of two local combat veterans.
Many of you may have a pile of debris sitting in front of your home, waiting for it to be picked up. But some may not be able to collect it and set it aside for the city.
With chainsaws buzzing and gloves on, Sweat with a Vet is helping veterans get back on their feet after Hurricane Helene.
2 roads in Augusta to be closed for infrastructure improvements
Starting Monday, the city of Augusta will close two roads for infrastructure improvements, according to city officials.
“Two combat veterans, a married couple, had some significant damage to their house, trees falling in the yard. We decided to come out here with the marshal’s office and Home Depot and clear some of their land,” said Truck Carlson, program coordinator with Veterans for Clean Water.
In March, the Richmond County Marshal’s Office and Veterans for Clean Water partnered to start “Sweat with a Vet”, where they help veterans struggling to maintain their yard.
“Typically, which, there’s nothing typical now, we go through code enforcement, and we get people out of paying ridiculous fines for the infractions on their property,” said Carlson.
But the storm is changing the way they operate.
What’s the status of debris cleanup in Augusta?
It’s almost been a month since Hurricane Helene hit the area. And some neighborhoods still look almost the same as day one.
“With everything going on, this seemed like the best place to point our com,” he said.
It didn’t take them long to put together a cleanup crew.
“Three days. I mean, it’s pretty quick flash to bang, but when you’ve got people like our veteran volunteers, the Team Depot people and the marshal’s office,” said Carlson.
Carlson says this is a community issue.
“There should be more people, and that’s been one great thing about Helene, which is seeing all the community come together and help each other out because that’s what it should be all the time,” he said.
If you are a veteran that is in need of assistance you can either the Richmond County Marshal’s Office or Team Depot.
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