Two volunteers from Massachusetts heading down to Georgia to help with the fallout from Tropical Storm Debby

WESTPORT, Mass (WLNE) — Two Bay State residents set out from Westport Wednesday afternoon to help people dealing with the fallout from Tropical Storm Debby.

At noon on Wednesday, Simon and Anthony set off on a 16-hour journey to help residents of Augusta, Georgia.

“I’m actually using vacation time from my work on the two-week deployment.” said Anthony Lessa, one of the volunteers.

“It’s definitely different, it’s a good and bad experience, it comes with the environment.” Lessa continued.

Lessa has been on six deployments so far, helping with everything from wildfires to other hurricanes.

But his partner is setting off on his first deployment and seems ready for whatever comes their way.

“I’ve been serving in the army for almost 20 years now, I’m back from deployment, and I know I’ve been… I’m used to this.” said first time volunteer Stanley Pierre-Louis.

“I’m ready to serve, I want to keep serving, and that’s why I joined the Red Cross. That’s why I’m excited to do great things down in Georgia, or in Florida, or wherever they send me.” Pierre-Louis continued.

While both of the volunteers are excited, neither one has any connection to Georgia or Florida.

Both just taking the time to lend a hand where they see it’s needed.

“It’s always a struggle because people have lives. People have work. So, it’s just great that they give their time.” said Allie Donahue, the Disaster Program Manager at Red Cross.

The volunteers left Westport Wednesday afternoon and are expected to arrive in Georgia sometime on Friday.

They’ll be working to deliver food and assistance to neighborhoods as residents continue to deal with flooding.