On Aug. 19, residents at the Boonie Doone Apartments experienced a large fire that set the apartment complex ablaze, torching two residential units. Athens Fire and Rescue were able to extinguish the flames, rescuing three children and two adults, preventing any physical injuries.
Multiple families were displaced due to the severe impact of the fire, including smoke and water damage from the event, according to AFR Deputy Fire Chief Jesse Knox.
“Some people have really good insurance and a really good family support system,” Knox told The News Courier. “So, while they are hurting and in pain from losing so much, at least they know they will have some place to go. But, we have a lot of people who don’t have that luxury.”
Knox explained that in those situations where someone is left with no clothes to wear, no food to eat or no place to sleep, AFR will call upon local organizations to help provide resources for those families.
That evening, Knox and his units received the help of the Red Cross to aid those families in need, but they also received the unexpected help of Limestone County native Latimer Dobbins — the president and founder of A Better Place To Go.
Dobbins arrived on the scene just as Red Cross did, wasting no time in opening his van door to unload piles of clothes, blankets and air mattresses — all of which he donated to those families in a time they had no one else to rely on.
“I had no clue who he was, or that he even existed,” Knox said. “He wasn’t trying to step on toes or anything like that. What really impressed me is that he was giving stuff out to anybody and everybody who needed something. He had no desire to advertise or make a name for himself, he was just there to help people out.”
Efforts such as the one Dobbins displayed that day are what his local nonprofit, which was newly minted in February 2024, is all about. A faith-based organization dedicated to transforming the lives of the less fortunate in Athens and Limestone County, giving them “A Better Place To Go.”
“We are here to help and counsel those struggling with homelessness, addiction, depression and anxiety in all walks of life,” Dobbins told The News Courier. “We want to give people a second chance at life. If that means we have to clothe them, feed them and educate them, then that’s what we’ll do. We don’t want to neglect, or act like we don’t see, the people struggling in our community. We want to give them everything that they need to turn their life around.”
Dobbins emphasized that in the half a year his nonprofit has been operating, they have already serviced more than 200 people in desperate need of help. From offering shelter to people in the homeless community living in the woods, to a 24-hour phone service for people to call when they are struggling to overcome their addictions.
“We get calls when people are at their lowest and we do our best to try and talk them out of those dark situations,” Dobbins said. “A lot of times we win, and they come with us to try and start their life over. But, when we lose — those are the ones that stick to you. We don’t want to lose anyone, but unfortunately it’s a part of the job.”
The organization, which relies upon the donations of other local businesses and community members, has held various events already to get their footing in the community. From bicycle giveaways, food drives and even baptizing events at local churches — Dobbins explained that he wants everything they do to be a direct reflection upon their faith.
“This is a community effort and we all work together for one purpose, which is the body of Christ,” Dobbins said. “This is something that I started at my house, and we are already growing as we continue to do the Lord’s work. We are nondenominational as well, and our members are our backbone, so as long as you want to help and do some good, we’ll take you.”
As they work to build more shelters near Lucas Ferry Road, Dobbins said that anything that they get will go to the benefit of others. They are currently accepting donations — whether monetary or physical.
For more information, on how to donate or how to obtain the organization’s service, please contact A Better Place To Go at (256)-230-8822.
“Athens is a loving and caring community,” Dobbins said. “I’ll speak on behalf of Athens, because I know we want what’s best for the less fortunate. We know there is a homeless problem here, now let’s do something about it. We know there is an addiction problem here, now let’s do something about it. We are a community built on love, now let’s show that.”