BLOOMINGDALE — Anne Classens Horn has spent the past few years vigilantly reporting emergencies to thousands of people in multiple counties. All the while, a crisis was developing above her.

The roof of her 30-year-old double-wide trailer on Hollow Oak Drive in Chatham County is on the verge of collapsing. Large receptacles are strategically positioned throughout the residence to catch water when it rains. In addition, damp insulation sags through the ceiling in several places.

Despite the deplorable conditions, Horn remains undeterred. After all, she’s got a job to do.

Horn’s administers a Facebook page with more than 21,000 followers. It is named “Accidents & Fires & Road Closures for Chatham Co & surrounding counties.” She constantly monitors the chatter on six scanners in her living room, relaying information about incidents in Bryan, Bulloch, Candler, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties. 

“It keeps me totally busy,” Horn said.

Horn’s devotion was recently rewarded. Readers of Connect Savannah, an alternative weekly newspaper, dubbed her Facebook page Savannah’s best local one in 2022.

She was also a 2022 Connect Savannah finalist for Savannah’s best all-around resident.

Horn started her Facebook page just over three years ago. Its number of users has grown at a steady rate. The followers include many first responders, she said.

“They love it,” Horn said. “I’ve got tons of troopers, LEOs (law enforcement officers), EMTs and firefighters. They love how I run the group with respect.”

Horn has strict rules for her page. She doesn’t allow followers to post pictures or videos that show vehicle tags. She also doesn’t allow them to mention where police officers are positioned.

“I back the blue,” she said.

Horn said she is busiest when informing her followers during car chases.

“Basically, I do play by play,” she said. “It’s fun.”

Horn has friends who are more concerned about the plight of her roof than she is. One called Professional Roofing Solutions, which recently sent a crew to the scene to spread a tarpaulin over the top of the trailer.

“They were so sweet,” Horn said.

Realistically, Horn needs a new place to live. The inside walls of her trailer are moldy and the area around most windows is rotting.

The floor is creaky, too. The carpet has been removed in most places, leaving exposed particle board that is precariously thin in some places.

“Personally, I would like a small little house built,” Horn said.

Howard Spiva of Savannah’s Spiva Law Group has set up a trust fund to help Horn obtain a house. They have been friends for four decades.

Sandra Burnsed, also a Spiva friend, has stepped forward to raise money. She met Horn through Horn’s Facebook page.

“She’s just an all-around good person,” Burnsed said. “She doesn’t (operate her Facebook page) for money. She just does it out of the goodness of her heart.”

 The use of a trust fund will prevent the interruption of Horn’s disability income.

“Howard is going to keep a record of everything for us and control all the money,” Burnsed said. 

Donations can be dropped off at the Spiva Law Group office at 1137 Mohawk St. in Savannah or mailed to P.O. Box 61678, Savannah, Ga. 31420.

Also, Burnsed has set up a Cash App. Details about it can be found on her or Horn’s Facebook page.

“I can’t think of a better way than to pay it forward by the community stepping up for Ms. Anne because she steps up for us,” Burnsed said.