R3SM to host restoration tour of rebuilt Hattiesburg neighborhoods

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Greater Pinebelt Foundation and R3SM will be hosting a free tour Thursday to showcase rebuilt homes and businesses damaged by an EF-3 tornado in January 2017.

R3SM Chief Opertions Officer, Mavis Creagh explained the tour's purpose is to show donors their money has been put to good use. "We’re continuing the work in the community and that’s also to show them that’s their an additional need for funding to do the additional cases that are yet to be presented that do need financial support,” she said.

Others who could not donate money, provided time. According to Creagh, more than 1,000 volunteers provided over $800,000 in free labor rebuilding damaged areas. She said the work from volunteers helps save donated money to put towards other expenses.

Those invited to the restoration tour will need to meet at the Hattiesburg Train Depot downtown at 10:15am. At the end of the tour box lunches will be served at the R3SM House.