HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. -- More than two weeks after Milton, a Plant City native is organizing relief efforts to help his community which is still dealing with the aftermath.

In our Pursuit Unlimited segment, Spectrum Bay News 9 usually highlights an individual overcoming obstacles.

In this case, a group is putting aside their own storm challenges to help others.

What You Need To Know

  •  Plant City native Aaron Davis has been organizing relief efforts in East Hillsborough County since the storms

  •  Davis rallied old friends to join a so-called "Chainsaw Crew" which has cleared debris in the storm affected area

  •  The volunteers are often helping out strangers get back on their feet

If you are traveling in east Hillsborough, you will still hear and see the chain saws cutting through storm debris in Thonotosassa.

Mike Perry is one volunteer helping his neighbors.

"There's so much destruction everywhere," said Perry. "And out here in our slice of where we live, everywhere you turn there's someone in need."

Perry joined the group to help in Milton recovery. Some in the community and online call them the “Chainsaw Crew,” organized by Plant City native Aaron Davis.

By now, Davis has helped thousands and spent more than that amount of his own funds in relief efforts buying equipment such as chain saws and generators for others.

He helped organize a tree removal at a Hillsborough sheriff deputy's home.

"And I put a post on Facebook, Aaron Davis saw it, immediately reached out to me. What can I do to help?" said Perry about the moment the crew went into action. "And literally within the hour we had people on the ground getting this tree off this guy's house and his garage."

Davis has been posting about the recent hurricanes. One hit too close to home.

Just last month, Helene surge washed away Davis’ Anna Maria Island home.

Since then, he has been leading all this relief effort for others, while waiting to fix his own place.

Perry, who has known Davis for years, joined the efforts and is doing the same after Hurricane Milton.

"We had some water damage in our house. We had two barns collapse," said Perry. "In fact, I was at home went I got the call to come over here from Aaron. But mine can wait, we'll get to that. But we're trying to help our neighbors out."

Today's job included a visit to the west Thonotosassa Baptist church.

Kurt Miller also carried a chain saw. He has a roof to fix back home, but that too can wait.

Pastor Jerry Waldrop told Spectrum Bay News 9 there is a force for good playing out after experiencing the recent force of nature.

"Clearly some people have been devastated," said the pastor. "But there's a lot of good coming out of this and we're able to minister perhaps to people we haven't ministered to before."

Perry said they will continue to pursue helping their neighbors, despite their own challenges.

"The desire to help. The desire for people to pitch in, bring equipment, stop the job that they're doing to come help us," he said. "it's disheartening to see the destruction but it's also nice to see the people coming together for a common good."