'Helping Hands' program brings about 11,000 volunteers to assist in Hurricane Michael recovery process

[Kramer]

According to officials with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Louisiana, about 11,000 volunteers from 5 southeastern states have made their way down to Florida to offer a helping hand in the past 4 weeks.

It's all part of a program called Helping Hands, where volunteers pick up work orders to remove fallen trees, put tarps on damaged roofs and clean up debris from homes impacted by Hurricane Michael.

Volunteers say it's been a challenging couple of weeks, but the hard work is worth the impact they're making on people in need.

"When you're in it, when you're in the all day long, 9 hours, plus of getting at it, it's tough and challenging but at the end of the day when you see the love, the gratitude from the people that we're helping it just makes all the difference," Helping Hands Crew Chief Val Throckmorton said.

The local Church of Jesus Christ has also donated food and supplies.

If you're in need, head to Crystal Cottage on 7338 Highway 2301 in Bayou George.