LANIER COUNTY, Ga. (WTXL)--Bud Cook's home was damaged beyond repair after an EF3 tornado ripped through Lanier County, Georgia last year.
"I have been here for forty years," said Cook. "When you're 73 years old and you have to start over, it's tough. "
His home was destroyed and he had to rebuild it from the ground up.
He's thankful he and his wife survived.
Still a little over a year later, Cook says his experience is hard to talk about especially while looking at the devastation in Oklahoma.
"My wife she didn't want to look back at that television because it brings back memories to us," said Cook.
He says the outpouring of support from the community pulled them through the tough time and it's that same kind of support he hopes will help families in Oklahoma start picking up the pieces.
The Red Cross in Valdosta is having a fundraiser at from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday at four locations including the Valdosta Mall, Valdosta Properties in Remerton, Winn Dixie at Five Points, and Super Suds on Gornto Road.
