Many families in the Southeastern United States are still reeling from the immense devastation caused by Category 4 Hurricane Helene — the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since 2017 — in late September.

In the following weeks several local organizations from Athens and Limestone County hosted several hurricane relief efforts to provide valuable essentials to these families in Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee.

But now, as the holiday season swiftly approaches — one local school resource officer has gone the extra mile to bring some sort of joy back to the children impacted by the storm.

“I recently assisted with relief efforts in Swannanoa, North Carolina, and noticed that many children were asking for toys,” Steve Rogers, SRO from SPARK Academy at Cowart Elementary School, stated in a release. “Unfortunately, there were very few toys to give. I realized this was something that we could help with.”

Determined to make a difference, when Rogers arrived back from North Carolina he jumped on the task. Still, he knew he would need some outside support to raise the amount of unused toys he aspired to reach for those kids.

Rogers enlisted the help of his fellow Athens City School SROs and his colleagues at the Athens Police Department to organize the official “Athens Police Department Hurricane Helene Relief Toy Drive.”

“When Steve (Rogers) approached us about doing this toy drive, we agreed without any hesitation,” Athens Police Chief Anthony Pressnell told The News Courier. “We are hoping to fill up a 20-foot enclosed trailer with enough toys to make this a really special Christmas for those kids in North Carolina.”

Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the following locations during normal

business hours from now through Monday, November 25:

— SPARK Academy at Cowart Elementary School.

— Athens Intermediate School.

— FAME Academy at Brookhill Elementary School.

— Athens City Schools Central Office.

— Athens Police Department.

Rogers will personally deliver the toys to Swannanoa in December.

“We live in a great community full of great people here in Athens and Limestone County,” Pressnell said. “If you need help, these people here will step up and help you no matter what.”

Pressnell also highlighted that all contributions, big or small, would be greatly appreciated. Those sentiments were also echoed by Athens City Schools Superintendent Beth Patton who told The News Courier exactly what this initiative means to her.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our schools and community to come together to share hope and support children who have experienced so much loss,” Patton said.