Despite the catastrophic damage wrought by Hurricane Helene, communities across the storm’s path have demonstrated astounding grit and open-hearted giving in support of Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse.
In the mountains of North Carolina, a church attended by Franklin Graham himself saw its youth building inundated with floodwaters. Yet, through a stroke of providence, the shoeboxes packed by the congregation had been relocated just in time. Graham reflected on the experience to Fox News, saying, “I’ve never seen anything like the people here. They’ve lost so much, but they continue giving the gift of hope to children around the world.”
This spirit of determination in the face of adversity has been echoed by churches and families throughout the regions ravaged by Helene. Cherry and Mark Brumbelow of Texas, who endured similar losses during HurricaneHarvey, felt compelled to travel to North Carolina and lend their support. “When we saw what was happening here, our hearts were burdened,” Cherry explained. “We prayed to the Lord and asked what we could do to help.”
Their small church of 55 members has already packed an astonishing 15,000 shoeboxes this year, with over 1,400 sent on behalf of storm-affected communities in western North Carolina. One such community is Lake Lure Baptist Church, which suffered severe flooding during the hurricane. Lynda Poe, the Operation Christmas Child drop-off team leader, recounted the harrowing survival story of one church member.
“He was trying to stay in the house as long as he could,” she said. “The river rose faster than he was able to anticipate, so he got in his truck and it started floating away. By the grace of God, it got caught on a rock, allowing him to escape. His house was flooded and they had to tear it down.”
Other churches, like Spruce Pine First Baptist Church in North Carolina, have gone above and beyond in their support of Operation Christmas Child. In addition to serving as a drop-off location, the church has distributed vital supplies to those in need and provided over 40,000 meals to local residents and volunteers.
First Baptist Church in Damascus, Virginia, experienced catastrophic flooding that swept away the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes collected by the children all year. “I didn’t get to the church until two days after the flood because we had roads washed out,” said Angie Fritz, Operation Christmas Child project leader for the church. “A lot of people couldn’t get out of their houses. Everything was surreal. God made a way for us. We’re excited to still get this opportunity to pack gospel opportunities.”
Despite the devastation, National Collection Week will proceed as scheduled from November 18 to 25, with more than 4,700 drop-off locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Franklin Graham expressed his profound gratitude for the unwavering support of Operation Christmas Child. “I’m grateful to God for each and every person who has been a part of Operation Christmas Child,” he said. “One couple said they packed shoeboxes using a candle while their power was out in the storm, and when another woman’s home started to flood, the first thing she ran into her basement to save were her shoeboxes. There are so many stories here of people who love God, love their neighbors, and love children around the world.”
For more information on how to get involved with Operation Christmas Child, visit www.samaritanspurse.org.