As the CSRA continues to fight back from the devastation of Hurricane Helene, area businesses are stepping up to the plate, one of them literally.
The Augusta GreenJackets announced plans to open SRP Park from noon until 5 p.m. yesterday offering air conditioning, a chance to recharge phones, and hot dogs and soft drinks from noon until 2 p.m. People will also be able to take home two – 10lb bags of ice.
“We’re kind of monitoring around here,” Tom Denlinger, GreenJackets Vice President, told ABD. “But we are fortunate here that we have power at SRP Park, and we were trying to figure out a way we could make a little impact. So, we opened up yesterday and we will see how it goes, and then probably do it a few more times the rest of the week.”
It is just one of the latest businesses who have power and are opening their doors to people in need.
Posting on Facebook, Humanitree House also opened yesterday at 10:00 a.m. for folks to come and charge devices, cool off, get ice (limited) if they had meds or anything to keep cool.
Humanitree said, “Just come chill. We will have LIMITED juice and some food until it’s gone. Come bring us some good energy and we’ll share some with you.” A spokesman said they will continue to open this week as long as they can.
From Edgar’s Above Broad’s Facebook: “In the wake of Hurricane Helene, we’re here to support our community. Edgar’s Above Broad opened September 30, offering a place to recharge, literally! We’ve got space for you to charge your devices, and while our menu is limited, you can still enjoy some of your favorites. Need to relieve some stress or let the kids burn off energy? We’ve got outdoor games like corn hole and bocce ball ready for you. Come by, recharge, and relax with us. We’re here for you, Augusta.”
Denlinger said restaurants in SRP Park, Brinkley’s Chop House, El Cantina, and Southbound Smokehouse are all open.
Area veterinarians are also trying to open, at least partially, to customers. On its Facebook page, Hammond Hills Animal Hospital posted: “We are planning to be open on Wednesday morning, from 10:30-1:30 for our clients that need essential medications, foods, and veterinary care. Our service will be limited because we still do not have power and will be using a generator. We will have a veterinarian on duty. We want to provide as much assistance to our patients as possible.”
They are unable to process credit or debit cards so transactions will be cash only. Also, with sketchy phone service, customers should contact them through a private message on Facebook.
While area businesses are slowly able to open, the Chambers of Commerce in the region are joining forces to help.
For one Chamber President and CEO this is, to paraphrase an old saying, a “trial by storm.”
“I went to sleep on Thursday night, we had just celebrated Sue with a retirement party and celebration, and then woke up Friday morning to complete tragedy,” Angie Cox, who just took over leadership of Augusta Metro Chamber from recently retired Sue Parr, told ABD.
Cox said Augusta is joining with North Augusta, Columbia County, Aiken, McDuffie, Burke Chambers, and the Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce to release a list of resources.
“It has links to everything from federal funding to state resources to hurricane and cleanup effort relief sites and numbers to call, and then all the way drill down on a local level to be able to meet everyone, and that’s everyone from our small businesses, our large corporations, our farmers, our independent, solo folks,” she said. “The Chamber office is open if they’re able to get down there. We have Wi-Fi and cold drinks and power and water. If they want to come get a hot cup of coffee, they’re welcome to do so.
The plan was to release the list on all social media outlets used by the six Chambers.
Talking with the businesses, Cox said many are still working on a personal level with their employees to help secure homes and families. Many continue to advise staying home.
“Gas is very scarce right now, and so I think that they’re trying to conserve resources, and then we’ll move to the next phase,” she explained. “Hopefully, the Chamber can assist and be there along every step of the way. And we’re in communication with all of our state partners around the state, to other chambers who are ready and willing to step up and contribute in any way that they can.”
Teamwork was a theme from both Cox and Denlinger, who also embraced businesses and the community.
“The one thing about this community is it’s very resilient, and obviously for us, being the GreenJackets, they have supported us for many years,” said Denlinger. “And it’s times like these that we have to come together. So, it’s exciting to be able to play a little small part.”
Cox agreed about the local spirit, “I know that we have a strong, resilient community and even stronger, resilient business community, and we are already collaborating and trying to work together to provide the best resources, the best communication, and the best support that we can.”
More information is on the Chamber’s websites and social media:
Kenya Calhoun, Thomson McDuffie Chamber
https://www.thomsonmcduffiechamber.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ThomsonMcDuffieChamberofCommerce/
Terra Carroll, North Augusta Chamber
https://www.northaugustachamber.org/
https://www.facebook.com/GNACOC
Angie Cox, Augusta Metro Chamber
https://www.augustametrochamber.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AugustaMetroChamber
Russell Lahodny, Columbia County Chamber
https://www.columbiacountychamber.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaCountyChamber
Ashley Roberts, Burke County Chamber
https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaCountyChamber
Jim Tunison, Aiken Chamber of Commerce
https://www.facebook.com/AikenChamber
Ronic West, Greater Augusta Black Chamber
https://mygabc.org/
https://www.facebook.com/mygabc
