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Georgia shows 'southern hospitality' to Hurricane Florence evacuees by connecting on social media

There has been an incredible amount of support on social media for Hurricane Florence evacuees -- the hashtag #AtlantaKindness has taken off with over 40 businesses offering deals and free food to help out.
Credit: Diaz, Andrea
Fairburn Police are helping evacuees any way they can.Credit: Fairburn Police Department

FAIRBURN, Ga. – Georgia is living up to the term “southern hospitality” as evacuees arrive in the state.

Take this note from the Fairburn Police Department for example -- which was left at a local hotel greeting evacuees.

It read: “Welcome to Fairburn, We know you’ve already been through a lot and a lot more to go before it’s all over. We want to help in any way we can.”

READ | Hurricane Florence approaches Carolinas | Georgia under state of emergency

MORE | Facebook group helps Florence evacuees find lodging

Fairburn Police is offering free shuttle service to grocery stores, restaurants and churches in the area. They’ve also reached out to the community – asking people to bring supplies for a group of senior citizens who arrived from South Carolina this week – just to help make them feel more comfortable while away from home.

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“Just the response we’ve heard thus far on social media, Facebook, Twitter … people are asking, ‘what do they need?’” said Anthony Bazydlo, Fairburn Police’s deputy chief. “It’s really been overwhelming, it’s been phenomenal.”

RELATED | Atlanta Motor Speedway opens campground to Hurricane Florence evacuees

There has been an incredible amount of support on social media – the hashtag #AtlantaKindness has taken off with over 40 businesses participating.

Local restaurants, like Atkins Park, are offering evacuees special deals, free meals and discounts.

“It’s just the right thing to do,” said Sandra Spoon, the owner of Atkin’s Park.

People are also offering up places to stay.

One man from South Carolina posted in a Facebook group page that he needed a place to stay in Athens.

He got dozens of responses from strangers offering room and board.

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