Rolling Fork receives $100k in tornado relief

Published 8:44 pm Saturday, December 9, 2023

84 Lumber, the nation’s largest privately held building materials supplier, partnered with “Good Morning America” this week to give a special surprise to the nonprofit Rolling Fork Rising, announcing a donation of $25,000 in building materials and $100,000 in funds to help build more homes for families in the tornado-ravaged town of Rolling Fork, Mississippi. $2,000 was also donated in appreciation of community heroes.

“It was an honor to partner with ‘Good Morning America’ to celebrate an incredible story about resilience, teamwork, and community,” said Amy Smiley, vice president of marketing for 84 Lumber. “At 84 Lumber, we help build America. So, it’s a great privilege to support the mission of Rolling Fork Rising, and to help individuals and organizations most in need.”

84 Lumber associates Robert Woodrow, divisional vice president, and Matt Watkins, area manager at 84 Lumber, were on hand to help deliver the good news to the Rolling Fork community.

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“While we are the nation’s largest privately held supplier of building materials, we are foremost a family-owned company, and we put people and the communities that we serve as our first priority,” added Smiley.

A devastating EF4 tornado swept through Rolling Fork last March, killing 15 people and destroying much of the city’s homes and businesses, leaving community leaders and charitable organizations to step up to work to rebuild the town together and get its residents back on track.

Rolling Fork resident and pastor Britt Williamson took recovery efforts into his own hands, launching Rolling Fork Rising, whose mission is to help formerly renting families return to Rolling Fork as homeowners. The organization is building 1,200-1,300 square-foot homes in the community to provide former renters with the opportunity to return to Rolling Fork and purchase new homes at a discounted price.

To view the “Good Morning America” segment, click here.

Contact Rolling Fork Rising to see how you can help. To learn more about 84 Lumber, visit www.84lumber.com.