By By Adam Prestridge
Atmore business owners Joey and DeeDra Kelley are continuing their crusade to help victims of Hurricane Katrina in south Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana recover.
The Kelleys, along with a team of volunteers, worked hard once again last Saturday to help those affected by the storm. This time the group helped from home instead of in the storm ravaged towns by holding a benefit yard sale in the old Taste of Heaven building across from Bargain Bin.
"It went really good," DeeDra said. "The community responded wonderful as far as donation and at the yard sale. We had one man donate a brand new gas dryer and gas stove. We had another man donate a mattress set that was almost brand new, two recliners and a washing machine and dryer set."
The yard sale was held from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. and raised $1,600 to assist in the local Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.
"We're going to buy more supplies with the money," DeeDra said. "We're actually having another yard sale this Saturday with more stuff. We keep getting stuff everyday."
DeeDra said the help from the volunteers has proven to be invaluable.
"If it wasn't for the volunteers all this wouldn't have happened," she said. "The women and men who have been helping us sort through clothing and other donations have been a Godsend."
This Saturday's yard sale will also be held from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Like last week, DeeDra said for $5 customers can fill a bag full of goodies.
Donations have been coming by the truckload for both the benefit yard sale and also supplies to be transported by the Kelleys and their team of volunteers to the hurricane stricken areas. With such a great response, DeeDra said that no more clothing donations will be accepted.
"We're not taking any more donations on clothing, but anything else you can call us and we'll pick it up," she said.
The Kelleys are also still accepting hurricane buckets to deliver to the victims of Katrina. The buckets include a five-gallon bucket, rubber gloves, a broom and mop, a gallon of bleach, band-aids, triple antibiotic ointment, a bundle of rags, mosquito repellent, vinegar (plastic bottle), a roll of paper towels and SOS/Brillo pads. The volunteers are also attempting to collect sleeping bags for the victims of the deadly storm.
It is unknown how long the Kelleys will continue their relief efforts.
"We're going to keep going until the need is no longer there," DeeDra said. "I don't foresee that being anytime soon."