Communities devastated by Hurricane Helen are not only rebuilding their lives, but also bringing joy to children around the world this holiday season through Operation Christmas Child, a program of the evangelical humanitarian organization Samaritan's Purse. We are working hard to bring about this.
Every year during the holiday season, Americans come together to bring smiles to children in need. Operation Christmas Child. Volunteers fill shoeboxes with essentials, school supplies and toys for children around the world, especially those facing war, poverty and disaster.
This year, the organization aims to collect enough shoeboxes to reach 12 million children.
Since its inception in 1993, Operation Christmas Child has distributed more than 220 million shoeboxes to more than 170 countries and territories.
Donald Trump Jr. and Kristi Noem join Helen's traumatized Franklin Graham in North Carolina with Samaritan's purse
The Rev. Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse, helps load shoe boxes with volunteers from Operation Christmas Child. (Courtesy of Samaritan's Purse)
Reverend Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse, said: “This project started in 1993 with just 11,000 shoeboxes, and this year we hope to reach 12 million children around the world with the hope of Jesus Christ.'' “I'm working on it,” he said. “This is something only God can do, and we give Him the glory for each gospel opportunity.”
Samaritan's Purse, based in Boone, North Carolina, faced major challenges after Hurricane Helen devastated the region. The Ministry of Humanitarian Aid responded by distributing thousands of heaters, generators, blankets and winter supplies.
Samaritan's Purse also completed the largest civilian airlift operation in U.S. history to rescue people affected by Hurricanes Helen and Milton, completing 358 missions to date. Their efforts include an army of more than 30,000 volunteers, or “orange shirts,” muddying homes, cutting down trees and clearing debris.
Samaritan’s Purse continues to lead relief efforts in North Carolina in the aftermath of devastating Hurricane Helen
Hurricane Helen also destroyed thousands of shoe boxes that had already been set up for children in North Carolina.
Despite the damage caused by these storms, the community remains dedicated. Families, school groups and churches continue to pack boxes, determined to share the joy of Christmas with children in need.
At Pastor Graham's church in the mountains of North Carolina, the youth building was flooded. Luckily, the shoebox was packed and transported just in time.
Operation Christmas Child has donated more than 220 million shoeboxes through Samaritan's Purse since 1993. (Courtesy of Samaritan's Purse)
“I've never seen anything like the people here. They've lost so much, but they continue to give the gift of hope to children all over the world,” Pastor Graham said of community resilience. praised.
The churches and families devastated by Helen are showing incredible resolve. Cherry and Mark Brumbrough from Texas, who experienced similar devastation during Hurricane Harvey, traveled to North Carolina to encourage others.
“Our hearts were heavy when we saw what was happening here. We prayed to the Lord and asked what we could do to help,” Cherry Brumbrough said. Ta.
The small church of 55 members has already packed 15,000 shoeboxes this year and sent more than 1,400 pairs on behalf of storm-affected communities in western North Carolina. One such community is Lake Lure Baptist Church, which was flooded during Hurricane Helen.
Lake Luah Baptist Church in North Carolina suffered devastating flooding during Hurricane Helen. (Courtesy of Samaritan's Purse)
Linda Poe, leader of the Christmas Child Removal Team, shared the harrowing survival story of the members of Lake Lure Church.
“He was trying to stay in his house as long as possible. The water level in the river rose faster than he expected, so he got into his truck and the river started flowing,” Poe said in a release. Ta. “By the grace of God, his car got stuck on a rock and he was able to escape. His house was flooded and had to be demolished.”
Churches like Spruce Pine First Baptist Church in North Carolina go above and beyond. In addition to serving as a drop-off point for Operation Christmas Child, the church has distributed supplies to those in need and provided more than 40,000 meals to local residents and volunteers.
First Baptist Church in Damascus, Virginia suffered severe flooding from Hurricane Helen. (Courtesy of Samaritan's Purse)
First Baptist Church in Damascus, Virginia, suffered devastating flooding during Hurricane Helen, washing away the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes that children had been collecting all year.
“We couldn't go to church until two days after the flood because the roads were washed away. Many people couldn't leave their homes,” said Angie Fritz, First Baptist Damascus's Operation Christmas Child project leader. . “Everything was surreal.”
“God prepared a way for us,” Fritz said. “We’re thrilled to have this opportunity to pack in gospel opportunities.”
Despite these devastating storms, National Collection Week will continue as scheduled from November 18th to 25th at more than 4,700 drop-off locations across the United States and Puerto Rico.
“We thank God for each and every person who participated in Operation Christmas Child,” said Pastor Graham. “One couple said they used candles to fill shoeboxes while the power was out during the storm. Another woman said she was the first to run into the basement and save the day when her home started flooding. It was a shoebox. There are many stories here of people who love God, love their neighbors, and love children all over the world.”
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Samaritan's Purse encourages everyone to join this mission of hope. samaritansparse.org Find a drop-off location near you and learn how to pack a shoebox.
