Cavco - Douglas Helping Out Mississippi Tornado Victims

When a tornado outbreak devastated the lower Mississippi River Valley in late March 2023, many families lost their homes and were left to rebuild their lives from scratch. Thanks to the Christian charity Samaritan’s Purse and their partners at Cavco – Douglas, Georgia, now more than 20 families in Mississippi will have a fresh start in beautiful new homes donated to them by the organization.

Fleetwood Homes - Douglas Builds 23 Homes for Samaritan’s Purse to Donate to Mississippi Tornado Victims — Dr. Franklin Graham of Samaritan's Purse pictured with General Manager of Ray Paulk and his wife Christi, when the upgraded Cavco - Douglas homes were dedicated to the Mississippi tornado victims

Samaritan’s Purse approached Cavco - Douglas for this important project because they needed high-quality homes that would weather future storms – and they needed them fast. The organization purchased 23 homes from Cavco - Douglas, all single-section homes, which were built to be 5 pounds heavier per square foot compared to standard construction for extra storm and wind resistance.

“Everyone agreed it was a good idea to have an impact beyond our normal scope,” says Ray Paulk, Plant General Manager, Cavco – Douglas. “When you think about what we do – we build homes for people – it gives you a reason to sit back and think about our impact. These homes are totally gifted to someone who might otherwise not be able to afford to replace their home.”

Samaritan’s Purse and Cavco - Douglas knew how important it was to give extra peace of mind to these tornado victims – especially for individuals like Josh Hatcher and his children, who had already lost a previous home to a fire and had only just moved into a new mobile home before the tornado.

stronger manufactured homes dedicated to Mississippi tornado victims — At the dedication ceremony of the new upgraded manufactured homes, Amory, Mississippi, May 2023

“I really loved seeing the pictures of the families who received a home. It helps put in perspective the importance of the homes we build. Thank you to Fleetwood Homes of Douglas (now Cavco - Douglas) for what you have done for those families and for representing Cavco in such a positive way," says Brian Cira, President of Manufacturing, Cavco Industries.

The homes provided to these devastated homeowners are two- and three-bedroom models with enhanced features for storm durability. They are rated for Wind Zone III, meaning they can endure wind speeds up to 110 mph (average manufactured homes can endure winds up to 70 mph).

It is the hope and prayer of each person involved in placing these new homes in Rolling Fork, Silver City, Amory and surrounding areas that they will provide stability and a way forward for folks who have had their family homes and furnishings ripped from them by a devastating natural disaster. And here at Cavco, this is another important reason to be proud of the impact we have as ONE Cavco, building homes that improve the lives of deserving people like these in Mississippi.