Some of the top companies inGeorgiaare coming together today to aid tornado victims inJoplin, Mo.

Almost 200 volunteers from The Home Depot have flown intoJoplincourtesy of a Delta Air Lines chartered Boeing 757 to perform a number of activities, including installing "Blue Roofs" over damaged homes, debris removal and general clean-up activities. The public can keep up with the day's activities through live updates, photos and videos by following The Home Depot on Twitter.

Many of today's volunteers work at The Home Depot's Store Support Center inAtlantaand have been instrumental inhelping the community and associates at the Company's destroyedJoplinstore recover and in preparing for the opening of a new temporary store to serve customers. These volunteers add to the more than 500 Home Depot associates throughout the Midwest who have already made the trek toJoplinto volunteer their time and specialized skills to help with clean up and repair activities.

In addition to volunteers, the Delta plane will also be carrying several thousand pounds of donated paper towels and industrial wipes fromGeorgia-Pacific. Chick-fil-A and Coca-Cola are providing food and water to keep The Home Depot volunteers fueled for the day's activities.

"The people ofJoplin, including one-third of our own associates, are still cleaning up and recovering from the damage done to their homes by the deadly tornado on May 22," saidKelly Caffarelli, president, The Home Depot Foundation. "The Home Depot's associates inAtlantahave been asking for the opportunity to go toJoplinto help the community and their fellow associates. Thanks to the generosity ofAtlantacompanies like Delta andGeorgia-Pacific, we're making that happen today."

Delta's aircraft, crew and logistics staffs are coordinating The Home Depot volunteers andGeorgia-Pacific's cargo. The flight departed forJoplinat8:30 a.m.onMonday, June 20and will return toAtlantalater this evening. More than 25 Delta people are involved in the operational and logistical effort. The staff, aircraft and cargo space totals approximately$50,000in support of the relief mission.

"Delta has calledAtlantahome for 70 years and seven decades of building relationships in this community, means that we band together to help those dealing with a tragedy like the tornado that powered throughJoplin– whether the need is an ocean away or right in our back yard," saidTim Mapes, Delta's senior vice president - Marketing. "We're honored to partner with these other greatAtlantacompanies and pleased our expertise in transportation logistics is going towards this deserving cause today."

Also delivered to assistJoplinrelief efforts are an assortment of Dixie paper plates, cups, utensils, napkins and other products donated byGeorgia-Pacific to Convoy of Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to children's feeding programs, community outreach and disaster response inJoplinand other communities around the world.

"The Home Depot andGeorgia-Pacific have worked together for years to provide families with building products for constructing and remodeling their homes and their communities. Taking part in this relief effort continues our involvement with The Home Depot team, as well as with our fellowAtlantacompanies, to support the people ofJoplinas they rebuild their community," saidCurley M. Dossman, Jr., president, Georgia-Pacific Foundation.