Editor, There are few things in life as unforgiving as a raging fire.  I was reminded of this Thursday.
As I was barreling down a back road in Long County, trying to get home, the fire moved  quickly and jumped across the road in front of me, cutting off the route I had been taking. As I locked up the brakes on my  truck, I could only think about the poor people who live down Mill Pond Road. I also quickly realized there was nothing in my house that I needed badly enough to try to find a way into the area.
I started making calls to family members and friends in the area to see if they were all right and to make sure they had gotten out of the way. I wasn’t the only one checking up on people. All over Long County, friends and neighbors came together to help those in need. Help arrived from our neighboring counties. The assistance was desperately needed and greatly appreciated. 
I would like to thank the Long County Sheriff’s Office, the Ludowici Police Department, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol, the Department of Transportation, the amazing firefighters from Long, Liberty, Bryan, Brantley and McIntosh counties and Fort Stewart, the Long County Emergency Management Agency, the Georgia Forestry Commission, all EMT, first responders and the endless streams of volunteers who showed up, ready to assist.
Your tireless efforts to contain this fire are evident. The damage everyone feared the fire would leave in its wake was minimized thanks to the skills and teamwork exhibited by all.
Additionally, I would like to thank everyone in the community who helped spread the word that the Courier is serving as a drop-off point for donations, Jimmy Shanken for volunteering the use of his truck to move supplies, Elise from Exit Realty and everyone who dropped off donations for the families and the Red Cross.
I am humbled and honored to live in such a community. Thank you again.

— Kathryn Fox
Coastal Courier business manager
and Long County Resident