Year: 2025
Location: Evans, Ga.

When Hurricane Helene struck the Southeast in 2024, Evans, Ga., experienced extensive storm damage. Among those affected was an 82-year-old Army veteran, whose home was destroyed when three large trees fell on it. He lost everything due to water damage and asbestos, as the home needed to be stripped to the foundation and completely rebuilt.

Since then, the Home Builders Association of the Greater Aiken-Augusta Region has stepped in to help. With the Builders Community Fund, its nonprofit partner that supports local workforce development and disaster relief efforts, the group has begun to rebuild the home. They received a $50,000 grant from HBIDRF to support the rebuilding effort, which has been used to buy materials and other project needs.

The project is entirely managed and built by Association members. It’s an ongoing rebuild that is expected to be completed soon.