Walter Lewis barely missed one great flood in Boone, North Carolina. That was 85 years ago—about five years before he was born. He did not escape a second great storm, Hurricane Helene, which hit late last year. More than eight decades ago, the 1940 flood triggered more than 2,000 landslides and caused 16 deaths. It’s…
Blue Ridge Resident Moves Into New Home
Joe Sherwood had never experienced a disaster like Hurricane Helene, which ripped up his hometown of Vilas, North Carolina –a small town tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The powerful storm left the home he had built over five decades earlier in ruins. What began as a peaceful morning playing checkers on his iPad…
Fire Chief Reflects on God’s Work in His Community After Helene
Fire Chief Stephen Freeman has lived in Bat Cave, North Carolina, for more than six decades. He’s seen severe and deadly weather events. But he’d never seen anything like the force of water that swept through the southern Appalachians in September of last year. He said he’s also experienced God’s presence and the love of…
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Fact Sheet: Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan's Purse Facts President & CEO William “Franklin” Graham III, son of the late Billy Graham Founded 1970, by Bob Pierce Purpose Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to victims of war, natural disasters, disease, famine, poverty, and persecution in more than 100 countries, with the purpose of sharing…
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Media Resources
Press Kits Press Releases Fact Sheets & Bios Photos B-roll PSA Graphics Operation Christmas Child Media Resources Media Requests Press Kits Jamaica Response Full Press Kit Press Releases Fact Sheets B-roll Photos Gaza Relief Response Full Press Kit Press Releases Fact Sheets B-roll Photos Hurricane Helene Response Full Press Kit Press Releases Fact Sheets B-roll…
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U.S. Disaster Relief Photos
U.S. Disaster Relief These photographs are available for news media outlet use in coverage of Samaritan's Purse-related stories. If your news outlet uses a photograph, please credit: "Courtesy of Samaritan's Purse." These photographs are not for commercial use. Port Charlotte, Florida 2024 Each day begins with prayer at our U.S. Disaster Relief sites. Port Charlotte, Florida…
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Press Release Samaritan’s Purse Scales Up North Carolina Response, Opening Emergency Field Hospital and Launching Airlift Operations
Samaritan’s Purse Scales Up North Carolina Response, Opening Emergency Field Hospital and Launching Airlift Operations Additional Medical Support to Provide Surge Capacity as Search and Rescue Efforts Continue BOONE, N.C., Oct. 2, 2024—Samaritan’s Purse has begun emergency airlift operations in western North Carolina to help people who have been cut off from access to basic…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Responding in Charlotte County After Hurricane Milton’s Rumble Through Florida
Milton unleashed torrential rain and ferocious winds across Florida after making landfall Wednesday evening, Oct. 9, near Siesta Key, south of Sarasota. The deadly and powerful storm, which entered the state as a Category 3 hurricane and left as a Category 1 on Thursday morning, spawned tornadoes and caused severe flooding. The Tampa area, spared…
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Press Release Western North Carolina Communities Rally to Give Back Through Samaritan’s Purse Project, Operation Christmas Child
Western North Carolina Communities Rally to Give Back Through Samaritan's Purse Project, Operation Christmas Child Hurricane Helene-Devastated Churches and Families Share the Joy of Christmas with Kids in Need Worldwide Boone, NC. Nov. 19, 2024—Every Christmas season, hundreds of thousands of Americans pack gift-filled shoeboxes for children in need around the world. Samaritan's Purse delivers…
Franklin Graham
Newsletter December 2024
Franklin Graham Update | December Franklin Graham Update | December 'From Devastation To Celebration' Dear Friend, As Christmas approaches, we continue to see so much need all around us. Our disaster relief teams have served thousands of storm-stricken families. Meanwhile, we've been collecting and shipping Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to millions of children worldwide. Hurricane Helene brought out the best in our…
