Property Management Company in Richmond Hill, GA

6 months later; retired Army couple John and Cristina Bones' home is restored

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RICHMOND HILL, Ga. —

Six months after Hurricane Debby unleashed devastating flooding, the memories of destruction still linger, especially in Richmond Hill. But for one military family, a helping hand from the Army has brought them back home.

Cristina and John Bones, a retired Army couple, braved the storm but faced an even tougher challenge in its aftermath. As floodwaters began to rise, they watched helplessly as their home in Richmond Hill was engulfed.

“Irreplaceable things like pictures and gifts that were given to you,” Cristina recalled, the emotional toll of losing precious memories weighing heavily on her.

The aftermath brought more than just waterlogged belongings. Baby snakes, spiders, and worms infested their home, adding to the nightmare. Despite having experienced six combat deployments, John and Cristina faced an entirely new kind of devastation.

“The most painful part was throwing away everything — your livelihood, everything you’ve worked hard for,” Cristina said.

The couple’s home stood under water for about a week. When the waters finally receded, they returned to find their house uninhabitable. They spent the following months living in a hotel and navigating the complicated process of applying for assistance.

Then came a call that changed everything: Army Emergency Relief.

“We can help you out some more,” they were told — and it was a huge relief.

Tony Grinston, CEO of Army Emergency Relief, visited the Bones’ home this week and expressed why it’s so important to care for soldiers.

“We’re taking care of everybody else. So who’s going to take care of our soldiers? And that’s what Army Emergency Relief does,” Grinston said.

But it wasn’t just the Army that stepped up. Neighbors welcomed the Bones' dogs, volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse and local churches offered support, and the community as a whole rallied to help.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Cristina said, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support. “We’re just very thankful and grateful for everybody’s help.”

Now, after months of hard work and community support, the Bones’ home has been restored. It’s once again a place for their family of five to call home.

BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Disappointing news for the Bryan County community this week.

The Great Ogeechee Music and Seafood Festival will not happen this year. It’s an annual event and the biggest fundraiser for the Chamber of Commerce.

The Great Ogeechee Music and Seafood Festival has been going on for 25 years now.

“Originally established to promote the vibrant community of Richmond Hill and raise awareness of the local marine fisheries industry, the festival quickly evolved into a beloved event, becoming one of the largest seafood festivals in the Southeast,” said Summer Beal, President & CEO of the Bryan County Chamber.

Many local businesses who benefit from this annual tradition love participating each year. They spoke with us about their disappointment with the cancellation, but optimism about the future.

“It’s a great way to see the community. It makes money for the restaurant and gets our exposure out, too. And our staff loves doing it,” said Bubba’s Bistro Owner, Mark Thomas.

Mark Thomas owns Bubba’s Bistro which has had a booth for years.

Last year, the festival went down from three days just to two, changing the event experience for many, including his own family.

“Sunday, for our family, is our family day out there to go to the Midway and eat and chill together. So, I was real sad to see it go. But we always did well financially on Sundays, just because our staff was still geared up and having fun. And so, Sundays was a profitable day for us,” said Thomas.

Summer Richards with Three Lemons Café appreciated the traffic it brought in across the street too.

“Because we’re right along this main strip of road where the Seafood Festival is at. Saturdays are, in general, our busiest days. But, with the Seafood Festival, we get so much business from either people going to the music festival or teenagers coming in right after school before they go in. It just feels weird that it’s not going to be there anymore,” said Richards.

Many locals wondered if it was a shortage of volunteers, or what exactly was the reason for the cancellation this year.

In a press release, the Bryan County Chamber of Commerce said they will announce the event schedule for 2025 in the coming weeks.

“As Bryan County has experienced significant growth, now recognized as the fastest-growing county in Georgia, our business community has also expanded. To ensure that the Chamber effectively supports our business members and aligns with its mission, we have decided to prioritize new initiatives over the festival in our 2025 Program of Work. As we enter 2025, we are eager to implement a new agenda that focuses directly on the needs of our membership. Our primary objectives will be advocacy, connection, and fostering growth within our business community.”

“I’m honestly just shocked. I’ve lived here my entire life, and it’s been a tradition my entire life,” said Richards.

“I think at the end of the day, it’s just hard. And it’s a 25, 30-year event. And maybe it’s time for a pause and a reset. Bring it back out and have a fresh start with it. And I think it will come back. I don’t think it’s gone forever,” said Thomas.

WTOC reached out to local leaders for comment on the end of this local staple event.

“We are disappointed to learn that the Bryan County Chamber of Commerce will not be hosting the Great Ogeechee Music & Seafood Festival this year, as this event holds significant value for our community. Nevertheless, we recognize their decision to realign with the Chamber’s mission and fully support their commitment to developing a new program of work. The Chamber serves as the backbone of our local businesses, and we continue to support the Bryan County Chamber and its unwavering commitment to serving our business community,” said Mayor Russ Carpenter in a press release provided by the Chamber.

The Chamber of Commerce also said, “Meanwhile, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for the community support we have received over the past 25 years for the Great Ogeechee Music & Seafood Festival. We look forward to introducing new programs and initiatives that will promote business growth in Bryan County!”

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