Viral video helps special needs camp clean up storm damage

JACKSON COUNTY, Ga. - A special needs camp damaged by storms from Hurricane Irma turns to Facebook to ask for help, with hundreds responding to lend a hand.

Camp Hooray in Jackson County, which encompasses dozens of acres, suffered up to $50,000 in storm damage to buildings and property. The camp provides fun and enrichment to children and adults with special needs.

The video, seen by people on the page "Extra Special People, Inc.," has garnered close to 30,000 views as of Thursday night.

"It says so much about our community. It says so much about Georgia... a lot of people were touched by our story," said executive director Laura Whitaker.

Hundreds of people responded to the post and called to offer tools, trucks and cleanup services, as well as financial donations for repairs.

The camp will remain closed for the safety of the camp-goers until the camp is cleaned up.

"We have kids in wheelchairs that come out here for our programs every single week. Until we get the place safe, we need to make sure the kids aren't out here," Whitaker said. 

"A lot of damage. [I'm] pretty much heartbroken," said Nicky Stanley, a camp attendee for more than ten years.

"I wish that hurricanes will never ever come back ever again," said Hannah Baird, another long-time camp-goer.

You can watch the viral Facebook video here:http://bit.ly/2vXuebN

Donations can be made via this website: https://extraspecialpeople.kindful.com/camp-hooray-irma-recovery-2017

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