Franklin Graham is Going to Southwest Florida to Encourage People Devastated by Hurricane Ian and Thank Volunteers Serving on the Ground

BOONE, N.C., Oct. 5, 2022—Samaritan’s Purse has mobilized an army of 550 volunteers—with 2,500 more on the way—to help homeowners in three areas that were devastated by Hurricane Ian—Fort Myers, Englewood, and Punta Gorda.

The North Carolina-based international Christian relief and evangelism organization has already received more than 1,200 requests for help from desperate homeowners in southwest Florida, where volunteers from 26 states are on the ground, mudding out flooded homes, tarping damaged roofs, and clearing debris.

In Fort Myers, four feet of water flooded Paul and Susan Escudes' home and a boat floated into their backyard. "There was total devastation," Susan said. "We never thought it would happen, never thought the water would come up that high." After Samaritan's Purse volunteers showed up, Paul said, "Thank heavens for all these people helping." Susan added, "It's been a life-saver."

Samaritan's Purse deployed immediately after Hurricane Ian hit, and on Thursday, Franklin Graham is going to Florida to remind homeowners that they're not forgotten and thank the volunteers who have answered the call for help.

"So many people are suffering, they lost everything to this hurricane. They're overwhelmed and they don't know how to start putting their lives back together," said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse. "I want people to know that God loves them and that we're here to help them in Jesus' Name."

Dozens of crisis-trained chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's Rapid Response Team are working alongside Samaritan's Purse to provide emotional support and share the love of Jesus Christ with families impacted by Hurricane Ian. This is the eighth hurricane that Samaritan’s Purse has responded to in Florida over the past 18 years.

Based in Boone, North Carolina, Samaritan's Purse responds to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations in Jesus' Name—especially in locations where few others are working. Led by President and CEO Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse works in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution. For more information, visit SamaritansPurse.org.