Steve struggled to keep his pickup truck driving straight on a road he couldn’t see. When the evacuation alert had sounded just minutes earlier, he had woken his 15-year-old son Aiden, and the pair had dashed out of their house. Now they were fighting to find safety as the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene swallowed…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Donald Trump Jr. and Senator Ted Budd See Samaritan’s Purse Relief Efforts
Samaritan’s Purse COO Edward Graham was joined by Donald Trump Jr. and U.S. Senator Ted Budd on Monday, Oct. 14, as they witnessed the devastation Hurricane Helene brought to North Carolina. They were flown by helicopter to Yancey County, which is included among the areas receiving emergency relief from Samaritan’s Purse. We continue to bring…
Crisis & Disaster Response
JD Vance Joins Edward Graham in Helene-Ravaged North Carolina
Vice President Elect JD Vance visited western North Carolina today where the remnants of Hurricane Helene churned through the Appalachians causing catastrophic flooding in late September. Vance joined Samaritan’s Purse COO Edward Graham in Buncombe County (Asheville area) where they met with local residents affected by the deadly storm, which dumped as much as 30…
A Plumber Gets His Livelihood Back After Hurricane Helene
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE | Dumitru’s story after Helene When Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina in September 2024, Dumitru and Dina Gyska lost everything they depended upon for their livelihoods. Dumitru’s efforts toward building his year-old plumbing business were shattered in a matter of minutes as floodwaters and debris swept through his property in Buncombe County.…
Samaritan’s Purse Dedicates First Home in Hurricane Helene Rebuild
In the same front yard where Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters tore through their quiet western North Carolina neighborhood, Benny and Keeva Messer stood on June 2 praising God for a brand-new home built in Jesus’ Name, from the foundation below to the shingles above. “Today we are going to celebrate and rejoice,” said Luther Harrison, vice…
Media
North American Disaster Relief
U.S. Disaster Relief & Rebuild 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. North American Disaster Relief Los Angeles County, California 2025 Samaritan’s Purse volunteers serve not only to…
Media
Edward Graham Photos
Edward Graham 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. Jamaica 2025 Children in Jamaica spend time with Samaritan’s Purse COO while he visits with their families and hears…
Franklin Graham
Newsletter February 2025
Franklin Graham Update | February Franklin Graham Update | February Rising From the Mud and Ashes Dear Friend, Samaritan's Purse had the honor of hosting Donald Trump on his first trip as the 47th president, when he and his wife, Melania, came to North Carolina to encourage survivors of Hurricane Helene and see what the new administration can do to accelerate the recovery. It's…
Media
Press Release Samaritan’s Purse Dedicates First, Newly-Built Home for Family Impacted by Hurricane Helene
Samaritan’s Purse Dedicates First, Newly-Built Home for Family Impacted by Hurricane Helene BOONE, N.C., May 30, 2025—Samaritan’s Purse plans to dedicate the first of many newly built homes in western North Carolina on Monday, June 2 for Benny and Keva Messer. The Messer family, like hundreds of others, lost nearly everything when floodwaters from Hurricane…
Media
Press Release: Samaritan’s Purse Expands Locations For Rebuilding and Replacing New Homes After Hurricane Helene
Samaritan’s Purse Expands Locations For Rebuilding and Replacing New Homes After Hurricane Helene BOONE, N.C., April 10, 2026—A year and a half after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina and parts of the Southeast, many families are still struggling to get back on their feet. Samaritan’s Purse is still hard at work, helping families with…
