Justin and Amy Parlier had been awake nearly the entire night because of the rain and storms from Hurricane Helene that hit the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. They tried to get some sleep early Friday morning but received a call from Amy’s son that a tree had fallen and destroyed one of their…
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…
Two Marias, One Almighty God
Separated by only 15 miles in the mountains of North Carolina, Maria Sixtos and Maria Chavez have both suffered in Helene’s wake—not only when the historic hurricane hit the area six months ago, but every moment since. For Maria Chavez, a stay-at-home mom, the storm’s damage to the family’s septic system created a daily nightmare…
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. Boone, NC 2024 Edward Graham, Chief Operating Officer for Samaritan's Purse. Turkey, 2023 Edward Graham visits Samaritan's Purse Emergency Field…
Crisis & Disaster Response
A Workshop of Faith and Hope
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…
Helping the Hurricane-Ravaged Florida Coast
Diane Pangburn had lived under a roof of blue tarp and damaged shingles since Hurricane Ian tore across her Florida community in 2022. When Hurricane Milton roared ashore in early October, it shredded that covering and torrential rain was channeled into her home. Milton, following so closely after Hurricane Helene, left many areas underwater. Bewildered…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Couple Receives a New Home in Tennessee
“All I asked for was a tarp,” Kim Mitchum said as she stood on the back porch of her brand-new home built by Samaritan’s Purse. After she and her husband, Mike, lived their entire married life in Florida, they decided to return to Mike’s roots in Western North Carolina about five years ago. They found…
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…
Health & Medical Ministries
Special Medical Outreach Held in Western North Carolina
Note: A second free clinic will take place on June 21-22 in Marshall at the same location. All are welcome. For more information on volunteering, go to samaritanspurse.org/free-clinic. “Do I eat or do I go to the doctor?” Samaritan’s Purse physician Elliott Tenpenny explained the dilemma that many underinsured people face across the country. When…
Media
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…
