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Update: Matthew & Jody’s Tree Service is unable to take any more deliveries due to the volume of calls they have received. They have a trailer full of wood bundles parked at the Chambers County Courthouse Lanett Annex building on South Gilmer Ave for people to pick up firewood.

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Matthew & Jody’s Tree Service is helping to keep the community warm during the ongoing cold snap. The company is giving away free firewood for those who need it. 

Those who heat their home with firewood are especially high on the list. The service asks those interested to text or call 706-518-1470. Jody Tapley, the owner of the company, said as long as there is still wood available they will help.

Matthew Tapley, the founder of the company, has been chopping and bringing firewood to those who need it for years, according to his daughter-in-law, Erica Tapley. 

“If we ever have any kind of cold snap like this, that’s kind of just out of the blue. He’s taken people free firewood every year since I’ve been in the family … I think this is the first time we’ve put it out there like this,” she said.

However, the company has had so many requests that its stockpile is running low. While this is not the first time the Tapley family has provided free firewood to the community, it is the first time they have advertised the service. Erica said the phone has been ringing nonstop, and their Facebook post has had over 800 shares. 

“We’ve had a pile of people call. They can take the number or call us. And then if we’ve got some left, we’ll be glad to do that,” Jody said right before getting another call from someone wanting firewood.

The company doesn’t often chop the wood from the trees they take down, according to Jody.

“[Business] has just been slow over the winter. And this thing keeps my guys busy. I pay them to go bust firewood,” Jody said.

The family kept the wood for storage, but when the weather turned Matthew suggested they give it away. They have been delivering to some, but pick-up can also be arranged.

“I think a lot of people just try to capitalize on everything,” Erica said. “But when our community goes through something like this, I think it’s important to do what they do, and they always think of others, and they always really give and admire that about them.”