The Israeli Consul General to the Southeastern United States, Anat Sultan-Dadon, visited Grovetown on Wednesday for a press conference and to donate storm relief supplies.
This is part of a series of stops she is making to show support for the areas affected by Hurricane Helene and to donate essential supplies.
The consul general is based in Atlanta, and her role is to advance bilateral relations between Israel and the Southeastern states, which include Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Donations to Columbia County
Sultan-Dadon dropped off donated supplies, including water, diapers and baby formula, at Patriots Park, which is serving as a distribution center in Columbia County.
Patriots Park is also acting as a temporary shelter, which according to District Four Commissioner Alison Couch, has provided 1,800 people with “power, showers, food, water and overnight accommodations” since Hurricane Helene hit the CSRA.
Sultan-Dadon said her mission in visiting these areas is to offer “a little bit of relief and send a message of love from Israel.”
Seeing area damage
On Wednesday morning, Sultan-Dadon toured North Augusta to see firsthand the storm damage in the area.
“The devastation is clear,” she said. “But, I think what is also clear is the strength of the people who are determined to get back up.”
She said that she had plans later in the day to tour Columbia County as well.
Support for United States
“We…continue to have the support of Israel’s strongest ally in the world, the United States of America. And so when the hurricane hit the Southeastern United States, we thought it was appropriate to come here to the areas that have been hit and convey our support…we find it inspiring to see how the community is coming together in order to build and rebuild,” said Sultan-Dadon.
The consul general, having now visited Georgia and South Carolina, plans to travel to North Carolina and Tennessee.
