A team of 1,000 disaster survivors from across the country have traveled to Ellijay to help rebuild an animal rescue barn destroyed by a tornado in the spring.

The New York Says Thank You Foundation is bringing in firefighters who survived the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, emergency workers from Hurricane Katrina and survivors from tornadoes and wildfires in multiple states to the tiny town in the north mountains. They are reconstructing a facility for Build An Ark Animal Rescue.

The foundation began in 2003 to help pay back the kindness the rest of the country showed New York City after the attacks. Over the years, the volunteer organization has collected survivors of other disasters to help out with future projects.

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC