Rebuilding Lives: Bringing Hope After Wildfires

CALIFORNIA – When disaster strikes, it leaves more than just physical destruction—it shatters lives, dreams, and communities. For so many, regaining hope after wildfires is a long and challenging process. For Janine, the California wildfires took her stomping grounds. Houses of friends and family, cafes, schools, and eateries were burned up in the inferno, taking with them feelings of home and belonging.

A Community Lost, But Not Forgotten

“I’ve lost my community, and it’s just so sad for all of my friends because it’s not just that you’ve lost a home—you’ve lost your soul,” Janine said. “Your whole reason for living is gone, completely gone.”

But thanks to your generous support, families like Janine’s are not alone. Operation Blessing is on the ground, working tirelessly to bring relief and restore hope to those who have lost everything.

Your Impact: Providing Essential Supplies and Comfort

Because of your kindness, Operation Blessing has been able to distribute food, hygiene products, and critical supplies to wildfire survivors and even first responders. In partnership with local churches and volunteers like Janine, our teams have put together hundreds of care packages for those in need.

“We partnered with your organization. They came to our church. We’re up there every day working,” Janine explained. “I think yesterday we put together just under 300 boxes of food and supplies for the families—something as simple as toothpaste and toothbrushes, which you just don’t think about. These people have lost everything.”

More Than Just Supplies—A Connection to Hope After Wildfires

Beyond the tangible aid, your support is also bringing emotional and spiritual healing to those in distress.

“People are so traumatized by all of this that they’re only communicating with the necessary people right now just to get done what has to be done,” Janine said. “But being able to supply them with food, hearing their stories, and seeing how grateful they are—it’s just been such a blessing for me.”

Your generosity is not just meeting physical needs; it is showing survivors that they are not forgotten.

Looking Ahead With Hope: A Future of Restoration

Thanks to your unwavering support, survivors like Janine are finding new strength and hope. For Janine, volunteering has not just been something to fill her time, it’s been a crucial part of her healing journey. “I feel very honored that I can do something,” she said. “I’m looking forward to hopefully going out in the community and literally being able to hand these boxes out to these people. Things like this are what bring people closer to God.”

Every donation, every prayer, and every act of kindness is a step toward rebuilding lives and restoring hope after wildfires. Thank you for being a beacon of light in the darkest of times. Together, we are making a difference—one life, one family, and one community at a time.

For the Love of Sammy’s Daughters

KENYA – Love from around the world is keeping Sammy’s once struggling family in good shape. His three daughters in Kenya are warm and dry this Valentine’s Day due to your kindness. In their new home, the girls can easily move from room to room, fix food for themselves, and even use the bathroom comfortably without assistance. Every inch was designed to meet their special needs—thanks to the love they received from friends like you.

But last year, Valentine’s Day was very different for this struggling family in Kenya. The family’s one-room mud hut offered so little shelter from the wind and rain, Sammy worried that it might blow away. Then his wife passed away, and matters grew even worse.

“I could no longer go to work, as I had to stay home and take care of my children,” Sammy told us. You see, two of Sammy’s three precious daughters—Ruth (15) and Salome (14)—had brittle bone disease and needed constant care. “When my wife passed away, it really affected us,” he remembered. “It increased the burden on me as I had to play both roles in the home.”

Ruth and Salome needed Sammy to carry them from place to place. The hut was so small, they shared meals and family time outside and only went inside to sleep.

Feeding His Struggling Family … One Meal at a Time

Sammy began farming, so he could feed his struggling family one meal each day, and he never lost his faith. “I often prayed to God for grace to get the resources to build a home and school my children.” Then God answered that prayer through a generous friend like you and the overall support of our faithful Operation Blessing partners.

“When the construction began, I was very happy,” Sammy told us. “I knew indeed God’s promises had come true over my life.”

Their new home was more than Sammy could ever have imagined. The concrete house protected them from the cold rain and wind. It was warm, spacious, and, most importantly, safe for his girls.

A New Home and a Rainwater Harvesting System

Our team installed a rainwater harvesting system right outside their home, so Sammy would no longer have to walk long distances just to gather water, and they built a wheelchair-accessible bathroom that the girls could reach and use without assistance.

Caring people just like you heard the cry of Sammy’s heart to provide for his daughters and gave this hardworking single father the gift of a lifetime. “Thank you so, so much for helping this struggling family, and may God bless you!”

Offering Joy Through Valentine Dance Party for Wildfire Victims

CALIFORNIA – For families who lost their homes in the devastating California fires, life has been anything but normal. Yet, amid the uncertainty, your generosity sought to bring comfort and a sense of community back into their lives. You provided joy through a dance party for wildfire victims.

This past weekend at Bel Air Church in Southern California, you made it possible for Operation Blessing to host two unforgettable nights of family fun—a mother-son dance followed by a daddy-daughter dance. The goal was simple: to remind these children and their parents that they are not alone, and that joy can still be found even in the toughest times.

The Need: Restoring a Sense of Normalcy

Almost 200 families between Bel Air Church and the local school have lost their homes, with approximately 80% of the community evacuated and displaced. This has left families feeling hopeless and lost. Without homes, children are left in limbo, with every day feeling different than the last and almost no sense of routine. One father, Edward, who attended with his daughter, shared the significance of continuity during this difficult time.

“We lost our house in the Palisades fire. And so we’ve been down in Orange County with family. And I think the most important thing for our girls is continuity and community.”

A Night of Joy and Community Through a Dance Party

That’s exactly what your donations provided—a chance to reconnect, to heal, and to take one small step forward. Your generosity gave parents the opportunity to dance the night away with their little ones and the community around them. The dance party came equipped with flashing colorful lights, ice cream, games, prizes, and even some balloon animals. For families like Edward’s, this dance party represents hope and a light at the end of the tunnel.

“Tonight is like a moment of normalcy in an otherwise crazy season,” said Justin, Pastor of Bel Air Church. “For two hours, they get to dance with their daughters, they get to play pop-a-shot, they get to eat more ice cream than a human should eat. They get to do things that normal people get to do.”

For Mary’s family fun has been in short supply as they face uncertainty after the fires. But, because of friends like you, they got to have a night to forget the chaos, and laugh again. “Opportunities like this to just go out and have some fun—people who care—it’s really meaningful and moving and appreciated by the parents,” said Mary.

Thank You For Sharing Hope

Thanks to friends like YOU, Operation Blessing’s disaster relief team was able to make this night a reality. You offered more than just assistance; you showcased the love of Christ to those facing dark times. By providing a dance party for wildfire victims, you gave them a sense of levity and peace after such a tumultuous season of tragedy.

“All of the proceeds from these events are going to help those impacted by the fires,” said Haley Henson, Operation Blessing’s National Media Liaison. “During such a difficult and traumatic time, we wanted to bring some joy to these communities and let them know they’re not alone.”

“To all of our supporters, thank you for allowing us to be here, we couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for being the hands and feet of God to actually live out that faith of sacrificing for the sake of those who need it. It’s been humbling and overwhelming, and I’m just super thankful.” ~ Pastor Justin Anderson

Your Love Reaches a Child with Severe Abdominal Trouble

MEXICO – For 12-year-old Milagros, known affectionately as Mili, every day brought a new battle with pain. In her small community of Emiliano Zapata, she fought through severe abdominal trouble in Mexico. It threatened not only her health, but also her dreams of becoming a veterinarian.

Suffering with Severe Gallstones

The diagnosis was clear: severe gallstones that required immediate surgery. But with costs exceeding $15,000, the procedure seemed impossibly out of reach. For six long months, Mili endured the severe pain, unable to enjoy simple pleasures like milk, cheese, or beans. Her education hung in the balance as the condition threatened to force her to drop out of her first year of secondary school.

“I had to leave my job at the restaurant to find work closer to home,” her mother Blanca recalls. As a single mother, she struggled to care for Mili while watching medical bills pile up. “The medications alone cost 400 to 600 pesos each month.”

And that’s when your love reached across borders to change everything. Through your compassion, Operation Blessing’s Life-Changing Surgery team stepped in to provide the miracle Mili and her mother had been praying for.

Life-Changing Surgery Marathon

Through an Operation Blessing surgery marathon made possible by caring friends like you, Mili became one of 15 precious children—along with Isaac and Jose—to receive life-changing operations. These surgical marathons put love into action, bringing critical care to those who need it most. From heart surgeries in El Salvador to cataract procedures in South Africa and India, your generosity ensures that healing reaches every corner of the globe.

Each marathon is carefully orchestrated to help as many children and adults as possible in the way they need it most. Working alongside local doctors and health facilities, we ensure not only successful operations but also quality follow-up care that sets each patient up for success.

Healed from Severe Gallstones

The impact of your kindness reaches far beyond the operating room. Just two months after her surgery for severe gallstones, Mili was back to playing with her beloved pets and enjoying her favorite foods again. The severe abdominal trouble is gone. Just look at that smile! She’s ready to chase her dreams once more.

“After receiving the surgery, both Mili and I are very grateful to Operation Blessing and the people who supported her,” Blanca shared. For her and countless other families whose lives have been transformed through the gift of surgery, having a friend like you means everything.

“After receiving the surgery, both Mili and I are very grateful to Operation Blessing and the people who supported her.”
-Blanca

Your compassion doesn’t just provide medical procedures—it restores dignity, enables independence, and strengthens families. For many, these surgeries mean the difference between a life of limitation and one full of possibility. Thank you for being the miracle that families like Mili’s have been praying for. Through your generosity, you’re not just changing lives—you’re transforming entire futures, one surgery at a time.

Generosity After Los Angeles Fires

CALIFORNIA – The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have left widespread devastation in their wake, reducing entire communities to ash and displacing countless families. Homes, businesses, and schools have been destroyed by the Los Angeles fires. Sadly, this is forcing many to start over with nothing.

As families begin the long and difficult process of rebuilding, children face the added challenge of continuing their education without the supplies they once relied on. In the midst of loss, the generosity of friends like you is bringing hope, ensuring that these young students can return to school with the resources they need.

Giving Kids a Fresh Start After the Los Angeles Fires

child packs school supplies after los angeles fires

For children who have lost everything, something as simple as a backpack can mean the world. Thanks to the compassion of donors like you, students affected by the fires are receiving backpacks filled with essential school supplies, including notebooks, pencils, markers, rulers, and other classroom necessities. These supplies not only equip children for learning but also restore a sense of normalcy in their disrupted lives.

For Kelly Redd, a mother of three who lost her home in the wildfires, these backpacks represent much more than just school supplies—they symbolize hope and resilience.

“I have three kids, and they only had the clothes on their back. But they’re still expected to do school. So to have a backpack to send them to school with is a really big deal. It makes them feel like they have things of their own.” — Kelly Redd

Each backpack reassures children that they are not alone. It is a powerful reminder that people care, and that even in difficult times, kindness prevails.

More Than School Supplies—Meeting Essential Needs

In addition to school materials, your generous contributions have provided emergency meal kits, bottled water, hygiene kits, and cleaning supplies to affected families. These items help relieve the burden on parents as they navigate the process of rebuilding their homes and lives.

For Kelly and her family, these donations have made a meaningful difference:

“Honestly, the boxes are huge. Having a box of food or a bag of supplies—it’s just one less trip that we have to make. And this makes a huge difference.”

The Power of Giving—Restoring Normalcy After Disaster

Recovering from a disaster is a long and challenging journey, but thanks to the generosity of friends like you, children in Los Angeles are regaining a sense of normalcy. Every backpack, every meal kit, and every hygiene item represents hope for a brighter future.

“We’re so grateful to those who have stepped up to support these children. They’re helping them return to school and find hope for the future.”

For Kelly and many other families, this outpouring of support has been a beacon of light in dark times.

“This is incredible. I had never heard of this effort until today, but now that I have, I’m overwhelmed by the kindness of the donors and volunteers. We feel so grateful for the support.”

Thank You for Making a Difference

This effort would not be possible without the selfless giving of partners like you. Whether through school supplies, food, or other essentials, your contributions are changing lives in real and meaningful ways after the Los Angeles fires.

As families in Los Angeles continue the hard work of rebuilding, the generosity of friends like you ensures that children have what they need to succeed.

“On behalf of the children and families of Los Angeles—thank you. Your kindness is making a lasting impact.”

Fresh Hope through Clean Water—on Both Sides of the Globe!

WORLDWIDE – Because of friends like you, we are turning dreams of clean water into reality for hundreds of remote villages around the world each year. In fact, fresh hope through clean water is possible for many because of our generous partners. During the last fiscal year over 59,000 people received clean water, changing many lives for the better.

Brand New Water Systems Bring New Hope

Today, we’d like to send a hearty congratulations to the communities San Jose La Unión in Mexico and Masuyati in Kenya on their brand-new water systems, each tailored to the village’s unique needs. The residents now have improved health and increased dignity, along with more time for education, work, and family.

Perhaps most importantly, they have a future filled with fresh hope through clean water in this new year! Thank you for making this possible. During the last fiscal year, friends like you provided over 300 water systems in villages around the world.

California Firefighter Supply Drop: Delivering Support to Our Heroes

Learn about Operation Blessing's California firefighter supply drop and how we used it to say thanks to first responders.

HELP DISASTER VICTIMS NOW

CALIFORNIA – Wildfires in Southern California have brought devastation, consuming homes, landscapes, and livelihoods. At the forefront of these battles are the brave firefighters who risk their lives to protect communities. Recognizing their tireless efforts, Operation Blessing set out to show our support for the people who support us. We organized a California firefighter supply drop initiative to support these invaluable first responders, ensuring they have the tools and resources to continue their vital work.

Supporting California Firefighters with Essential Supplies

Operation Blessing recently stopped at Fire Station 81 in Los Angeles, a hub of activity during the Southern California wildfires. These heroes have been working relentlessly to combat one of the worst fires the region has seen in decades. Understanding their immediate needs, Operation Blessing partnered with local organizations to assemble and deliver first responder care kits containing hygiene items, sunscreen, and other essential supplies for California firefighters.

Fire Chief Maker Pashabezyan described the immense challenges his team faced. “We typically are the ones doing the supporting, so it’s nice to have somebody appreciate us like Operation Blessing,” he shared. These care kits are more than just supplies; they are a tangible reminder that these firefighters’ hard work and sacrifices are deeply valued.

Tools That Make a Difference

During the visit, Operation Blessing noticed that basic tools needed for routine maintenance at the fire station were scarce. In response, the team provided much-needed equipment, ensuring firefighters could continue their duties without added stress. “If I showed you the toolbox, it’s sad,” Pashabezyan explained. He pointed out that some of the basic tools were not there. But because of friends like YOU, we were able to provide them!

A Community United for California Firefighters

The supply drop initiative brought together multiple organizations, including Youth with a Mission, to support California’s first responders. The effort highlights the importance of community collaboration in times of crisis. From care kits to tools, these acts of generosity ensure firefighters have the resources they need to keep battling the flames.

Operation Blessing: Beyond Fire Relief

While Operation Blessing’s efforts in California have made an immediate impact, our mission extends far beyond wildfire relief. Beyond things like our California firefighter supply drop, we are committed to providing disaster relief for individuals in need.

You are the reason lives are being transformed. Through your donations, Operation Blessing can provide hope and healing to individuals and families facing unimaginable challenges. Whether it’s helping a firefighter in California or a disaster survivor in North Carolina, your support makes a difference.

Join Us in Making an Impact

As the wildfires continue to challenge communities across California, let’s stand united in support of our first responders and those impacted by disasters. Donate to Operation Blessing today and be a part of this life-changing mission.

HELP DISASTER VICTIMS NOW

California Wildfire Response: Bringing Hope to Communities in Crisis

HELP DISASTER VICTIMS NOW

CALIFORNIA – California wildfires have left a devastating impact on families and communities, displacing thousands and destroying over 12,000 structures. The swift, intense flames forced families to flee their homes with mere moments to gather their belongings. Amid the chaos, Operation Blessing’s California wildfire response has focused on supporting communities overwhelmed by the sheer scale of this tragedy. This includes providing essential aid, resources, and support to those impacted by the fires, as well as first responders. And friends like you have made this possible!

Consistent Relief Efforts in California

Operation Blessing’s disaster relief team quickly partnered with local organizations, including Fearless Church in Los Angeles. These partnerships help make us stronger and help us understand the specific needs of wildfire victims in the Los Angeles area. In conjunction with Fearless Church, essential supplies such as hygiene items, diapers, and other necessities have been distributed to help people who have lost everything.

At the heart of these efforts are our incredible volunteers and partners who work tirelessly to ensure that no survivor is left without support. From unloading trucks filled with supplies to organizing distribution events, these selfless individuals — along with generous friends like you –are the backbone of our California wildfire response.

Providing Tangible Support for California Wildfire Relief

Thanks to you, in the Greater Los Angeles area Operation Blessing’s teams are working on the ground to deliver:

Hygiene kits
Food
Water

The Role of Compassion in Recovery

As trucks arrive with supplies and families line up for assistance, there are moments of profound gratitude and resilience. Operation Blessing’s Hayley Henson got to witness firsthand the tangible impact of their efforts. “When the truck pulled up, people started to raise their hands and started to praise God. It was like this beautiful moment,” she reflected.

“When the truck pulled up, people started to raise their hands and started to praise God. It was like this beautiful moment”
-Hayley Henson

A Special Thanks to Our Partners and Volunteers

At Operation Blessing, we know that none of this would be possible without you—our generous partners and volunteers. You are the reason disaster victims have hope. Your donations, time, and resources bring light to the darkest moments of disaster. Your kindness inspires us to continue serving communities in their most vulnerable times.

Together, we can rebuild lives and restore hope. Thank you for being part of our mission to provide California wildfire relief. Let’s continue to make a difference, one family at a time.

HELP DISASTER VICTIMS NOW

When Nature Unleashes Her Fury in North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA – We’ve all seen photos and videos of the unimaginable devastation Hurricane Helene wrought in the hills and valleys of Appalachia and North Carolina. Mudslides covering highways and isolating mountain communities. Entire towns wiped off the map. Here are some of the survivors’ stories—and the ways your generosity made so much help possible.

feeding storm survivors in North Carolina

JOE – SURVIVING IN A TENT VILLAGE

Named “the beautiful” by Native Americans, the Swannanoa River provided a peaceful home for many. After a hard day at work, Joe liked to return to his “little paradise” beside the river—listening to the flowing water, fishing, and enjoying the serenity around him. It had taken him many years to buy his dream house, and he felt an incredible bond with his land.

When Helene hit, the force of the river—engorged by the storm’s unheard-of rainfall—caught him off guard. He and his faithful dog, Bo, sought refuge at a neighbor’s house on higher ground. They waited together for hours as the rain pounded relentlessly. When the storm finally subsided, Joe was devastated to realize the river had entirely swept away his precious home. Like many of his neighbors, he had no flood insurance, and he also lost the car that allowed him to go to work each day.

Since then, Joe has been determined to rebuild. Along with others who live near the river, he’s staying on what’s left of his property. He was without water, electricity, and adequate shelter when we first met him.

When our Operation Blessing team saw Joe camping by the river, we asked how we could help him and his neighbors. Friends like you provided water, food, solar lamps, and generators—and offered prayers. Thanks to generous donations, we also gave him a new set of tools for work and a car to replace the one he lost, so he could return to his job. And we pray he will soon rediscover the peace he once found by the river, even as we work to help rebuild homes in the area.

helping survivors after a hurricane in North Carolina

MARIA AND SOMA – HOT MEALS AND A BURDEN EASED

After devastating the city of Asheville, North Carolina, Hurricane Helene left Maria and her 3-year-old son, Soma, without water or electricity. They began visiting our Operation Blessing base of operations so she could charge her electronic devices, take calls essential to her real estate business, and enjoy a hot meal with her son. She’d also bring a plate of food to her elderly mother, who depends on Maria. Your help eased the burden she carried.

“Every little bit helps,” Maria says, grateful for not only the meals but also the supplies she’s received. For Soma, a sweet boy with an infectious smile, the base is a temporary haven in the midst of uncertainty. It was also a beacon of hope for mother and son, offering not only the basics of survival but also the warmth of community and compassion during an immensely difficult time.

RICARDO – AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AFTER THE STORM

Sixteen-year-old Ricardo considers himself one of the lucky ones. After Hurricane Helene hit, his family’s North Carolina house had no major damage, even though he and his mother were left without water or electricity. And, he knew thousands of people had lost everything. So he looked for ways to lend a hand.

non profit support after the storm in North Carolina

One day he noticed Operation Blessing hard at work in The Home Depot parking lot—preparing hot meals and distributing hygiene supplies thanks to your generosity. Ricardo asked if he could help. For weeks, he became a dedicated volunteer, arriving every day with his mother to assist our team— doing anything from restocking the kitchen to unloading trucks.

The storm had brought Ricardo some heartaches. He wasn’t sure when he’d be able to return to school. And the teenager had lost a close friend, one of many who didn’t survive the disaster. However, as he channeled his emotions into service, Ricardo was a wonderful reminder of the strength of community and the healing warmth of the human spirit—made possible by friends like you.

A Beacon of Hope for a Family Facing Overwhelming Adversity

ASHEVILLE – Hope can bloom even in the face of overwhelming adversity. When Hurricane Helene unleashed its fury upon Asheville, North Carolina, it threatened to drown the spirit of a community. One family in particular found solace in Operation Blessing’s community of support after Hurricane Helene unleashed catastrophic flooding, devastating their home and their entire area.

“I’ve lived here all my life,” Lee began. A grandfather to nine and a great-grandfather to two, his deep roots in Asheville were evident as he spoke of his family’s multi-generational connection to the land. Together with his wife, they built a life full of love and resilience. But their world changed overnight when relentless rains turned their community into a flood zone, sweeping away their home, vehicles, and cherished belongings.

“We stood on the porch and watched it all wash away,” Lee told us. Yet, even in the face of overwhelming loss, he found solace in his faith. “I didn’t blame God. … The good Lord provided for us.”

Overcoming Overwhelming Adversity Because of YOU!

That provision came in the form of Operation Blessing and donors like YOU, whose timely intervention brought hope and much-needed aid to the family and their community. With the support of such kindhearted friends, our disaster teams provided essential resources to help them rebuild not just their home, but their hope.

charity helping couple after the hurricane

Together with our supporters and volunteers, our teams arrived in Asheville to help distribute clean water, food boxes, hygiene kits, and other essentials. In partnership with local churches, we provided hot meals to those who had lost access to their cooking facilities. In Asheville’s River Arts District, where floodwaters had devastated local businesses, our volunteers set up temporary spaces for artisans to continue their crafts, revitalizing the community’s cultural heartbeat and sustaining livelihoods.

To top things off, our supporters enabled us to create a Christmas village for the families affected by Helene. Parents and children alike had a day filled with Christmas cheer that included snacks, games, and even presents.

For Lee’s family, your support was life changing. Their property, once home to his grandfather’s house, held deep sentimental value. “This place has been here all my life,” he said. With your assistance, we transformed a damaged mobile home structure that also existed on the property into a sturdy house for them, a symbol of their perseverance and hope. You helped provide the insulation and flooring needed to make it a safe and pleasant place to live.

And Operation Blessing will continue serving the people of Asheville for months to come.

As Lee’s family reflects on their journey from devastation to restoration, they remain anchored by faith and community thanks to friends like you. Their story of overcoming overwhelming adversity was made possible by your kindness. “Thank you. It’s just a blessing. The good Lord works through everybody.”