Anthony Jones issues appeal to help Dougherty County students affected by January storms

ALBANY — District 6 Dougherty County Commissioner Anthony Jones has issued an appeal for contributions from the community and area businesses in support of the Dougherty County School System Storm Relief Fund.

On Jan. 2 and Jan. 22, straight-line winds and tornadoes swept through the region, knocking out power to much of the city of Albany and Dougherty County, with the latter weather event resulting in six deaths and the loss of a 2-year-old child, Detrez Green, who was reported missing on Jan. 23 and has not been found, despite days of searching.

All of the county’s 23 schools were touched by the storms in some way, and 12 instructional days were lost in the aftermath. According to school system Coordinator of Students Support Services Marion Stevens, more than 3,000 children in the nearly 15,000-student system were impacted by the storms.

More than 700 families with children in the local system experienced damage to their homes and possessions, and more than 130 lost everything they owned, according to Stevens, who said 138 families are still staying at motels or with friends and relatives, unable to move back into their homes.

“I’m partnering with the Dougherty County School System to help these students attempt to replace their possessions … which is why I am reaching out to you,” Jones wrote in an appeals letter. “I’ve worked with many of you in some way during my tenure, others I have not. Our goal is to raise $10,000 for the students of Dougherty County. I would like to request you or your company help us return some sense of normalcy back into the lives of our young people.

“Your tax-deductible contribution will help provide students and their families who have been identified by the Dougherty County School System’s social workers with basic needs: school supplies, cleaning supplies, non-perishable food and clothing.”

Jones requested donations ranging from $250 to $1,000 but said in his letter that “any amount the donor deems fit to contribute” would help.

He added that donors should make checks payable to the Dougherty County School System Disaster Relief Fund and mail it to the school system’s administrative offices at P.O. Box 3170, Albany, Ga., 31701.

According the DCSS Assistant Superintendent and Finance Direct Ken Dyer, a total of $23,991.40 ($20,736.40 in cash and checks, plus $3,255 online) has so far been donated to the fund. A total of $6,900 has been spent, primarily for gift cards to assist families with the purchase of needed supplies.

One exception is a $1,000 check made out to Albany High School because the donor specified that the funds should go to support students/families of AHS students.