NORTH CAROLINA – OB National Media Liaison, Hayley Henson is still reeling after Hurricane Helene struck the area where she lives in Asheville, North Carolina.
She shared her emotional firsthand account of the storm. “The last thing that I expected was for this storm to head north and impact this mountainous region, in which I live, the way that it did.” Seeing the destruction, she continued, “It’s been heartbreaking. It’s record-breaking flooding. It hasn’t been this bad since 1916.”
“There were downed trees, downed power lines So many people couldn’t get out. There was no way to get out on the roadways,” Hayley said. “Most people are without power, without water, and most restaurants are closed. It’s really hard to get resources. Gas stations are running out of gas.”
A team of Operation Blessing disaster relief experts from around the globe has arrived since the shooting of this video, and they’re on the ground in Asheville beginning their outreach. They will provide comfort and much needed resources in this time of devastation. Meanwhile another team will continue serving in Valdosta, Georgia, where they’ve been since Saturday after initially offering relief in Florida.
Hayley also said, “I’ve seen firsthand what our team can do the way they can love on people, pour out resources, prayers and just be there for people in their time of need.”
Please continue to support this vital disaster relief work through your donations and prayers so that we can help more people. It’s because of friends like you that we can do what we do.
SOUTHEAST U.S. – Immediately following the monster storm, Operation Blessing canvassed Florida to meet needs after Category 4 Hurricane Helene ravaged the region. Over 500 miles wide, Helene has left wind damage, flooding, and power outages for millions across Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.
Even before the storm hit land, our disaster relief team was pre-staged in Florida with tools and vital supplies. Then, as Helene continued raging on to the north, our relief team got to work. They navigated road closures and dangers in Florida to find those who needed help and offer relief.
There we met William in the video above along with many others. Thanks to friends like you, we were able to offer help, hope, and comfort to these hurting residents. William said, “Ya’ll came up here and offered me a sandwich and prayed for me. And I just think it’s so amazing that human beings can love each other like we do.”
Next, learning that some of the worst damage actually occurred farther inland, we moved our base of operations to a hard-hit area of Georgia. There we are offering relief like food and water, as well as assisting with recovery efforts.
With your ongoing support, Operation Blessing is also sending a team to western North Carolina. The area is in desperate need of assistance to help families recover from historic flood damage there that sadly took many lives, left hundreds stranded, and demolished communication systems and other key infrastructure. There, highways looked like rivers, and entire areas were wiped out. Additional Operation Blessing disaster relief staff from around the world are en route to North Carolina to help with this heartbreaking situation.
Our response is still developing, so please check back for updates. Visit https://www.ob.org/mc/obdisaster to find out how you can help disaster victims. And please keep residents in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina in your prayers!
Last night Hurricane Helene, one of the largest hurricanes in a century, devoured Florida’s coast—flooding homes, snapping trees, smashing power lines, and even taking lives.
Helene struck as a Category 4 storm more than 500 miles wide, with wind speeds up to 140mph ravaging communities and torrential rains submerging cars and houses. Even now, it’s pushing further inland, knocking out power and causing water rescues as far as Atlanta, Georgia and South Carolina.
Families in Florida are already reeling from the storm’s impact. And they need your help! With friends like you, we can be there for the hurting at their worst moment and be among the first to embrace them with relief in hand.
Even as the Hurricane Helene finishes its course, our team is on the ground in Florida navigating road closures and power outages to assess damages and find the greatest needs. We deployed before the storm even hit to be ready to help as soon as possible.
As millions suffer without power, clean water access, and flooded homes, your gift can help provide for those basic needs and give them what they need most—hope and the chance to feel God’s love. The need for a rapid response is critical, and you can be an answer to prayer today!
MEXICO – Juan Diego’s battle with crossed eyes began in infancy, a concern that has weighed heavily on his mother, Candelaria, ever since. “The doctor at a health clinic told us he would need surgery but to wait until he was older,” she recalled. As Juan grew, the impact of his condition became increasingly apparent.
By age six, Juan Diego found himself struggling with tasks that most children take for granted. “I like to run and play. Sometimes I fall because I can’t see well,” he shared, his words revealing the daily challenges he faced due to his impaired vision.
His mother was very concerned about her son’s condition. “I worry something bad will happen. I feel like I have to watch him extra carefully and watch for things in his path,” Candelaria explained.
“I worry something bad will happen. I feel like I have to watch him extra carefully and watch for things in his path.”
-Juan Diego’s Mother Candelaria
The High Cost to Heal Juan Diego’s Crossed Eyes
For Juan Diego’s family, the cost of treatment for his crossed eyes posed an insurmountable barrier. His father, Alex, works at a gas station, while Candelaria cares for their five children. Their limited income barely covered their basic needs, let alone medical expenses.
“The doctor said the operation would cost $750. That’s why we haven’t done it because it’s too much for us,” Candelaria shared.
“We wanted to take him to the doctor, but we never could. If we would pay for Juan Diego’s treatment, then we would not eat,” she explained, illustrating the heart-wrenching decisions many families face when dealing with medical issues while facing financial limitations.
A Ray of Hope: Operation Blessing’s Intervention
It was during a medical outreach in their community that Operation Blessing first encountered Juan Diego and his family. Recognizing the urgent need and the family’s inability to afford treatment, Operation Blessing offered help.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our partners—supporters like you—Juan Diego’s life was about to change dramatically. Operation Blessing arranged and funded free surgery to repair the muscles in his eyes, a procedure that would have remained out of reach without this intervention.
The Impact of Your Generosity
The effect of this act of kindness was profound. “It was God who sent you to help us. Because we never, never imagined we would get help like this,” Candelaria expressed, her gratitude evident in every word.
For Juan Diego, the transformation was nothing short of miraculous. Post-surgery, he joyfully declared, “Thank you for fixing my eyes!” Now able to see clearly, he can play without the fear of falling, opening up a world of possibilities for a future without crossed eyes.
LOUISIANA – The Operation Blessing U.S. disaster relief team is in Kenner, Louisiana, after Hurricane Francine brought heavy winds, localized flooding, and mass power outages to the region.
91-year-old local, Nolan, shared his experience in the storm. “It was originally a category one, and it came in as a two. A lot more volume of the wind. And it actually destroyed some of my property.”
Debris and Yard Cleanup after Hurricane Francine
Thanks to your support and your prayers, we’ve been able to partner with Church of the King to provide warm meals, water, ice, and to get out into victims’ yards to clean up debris and remove downed trees.
Nolan said, “They cut down two trees and they cleaned out my backyard. It’s been very nice. Everybody has been very good, very professional.” he continued. “I couldn’t have got this done any other way. I’d have had to wait until I could get money to do it. And that would have been a while.”
It’s because of you that we’ve been able to share God’s love and restore hope to those that are hurting in this region. You can help even more families in need when you visit https://www.ob.org/disaster-relief/ today!
KENNER, LA – Your support has sent Operation Blessing to Kenner, Louisiana to give help to those in need after Hurricane Francine. Thanks to your generosity, the disaster relief team is boots on the ground, giving much-needed support to families affected by the storm. Your kindness is making a difference to the people of Louisiana. Because of you, we were able to reach out quickly after the disaster hit.
In addition, your kindness is feeding people who have lost power and cannot prepare food for themselves. You have truly been the hands and feet of Jesus during this challenging time. Because of you, many hot meals have been provided to hungry families without power.
You’ve also sent critical aid in the form of debris removal, as many families begin the laborious cleanup process after the strong winds of Hurricane Francine knocked over trees. Part of being the hands and feet of Jesus is helping people recover after a storm. This is where boots on the ground really make a difference. Our workers and volunteers provide an essential part of hurricane recovery, as many victims don’t have the resources or training to remove debris from their property on their own. Thank you for your ongoing support for the families of Kenner.
LOUISIANA – The Operation Blessing U.S. disaster relief team is in Kenner, Louisiana, in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine. Our team is working with a local partner to assess the needs of families dealing with the damage from the storm. One major need that became immediately apparent, is hot meals for Hurricane Francine victims.
Pastor David Madden told us, “The power is still out for thousands and thousands of people. Of course, that creates a huge challenge when you need to eat, like refrigeration and also AC.” He continued, “We’re trying to meet that need by providing food for all these households without power.” Operation Blessing is partnering with a local partner to provide hot meals for these struggling families.
The residents are grateful as Operation Blessing serves their needs with such caring local partners. Local resident Jenny Vasquez said, “It’s an issue because your stove is electric and you cannot use it. So it’s nice to have a chance to have a hot meal.”
Philip Nicaud, the local mission coordinator of Church of the King College told us, “We’re here at our West Esplanade campus giving out food by Carrabba’s and hot meals, water, ice, everything.” And it makes a big difference. For people who have just withstood a powerful storm, you are showing care at a time when they really need you!
We want to thank you for your continued support and prayers, as “we’re boots on the ground” and prepared to be the hands and feet of Jesus. You can help families after disaster strikes when you visit https://www.ob.org/disaster-relief/ today!
KENYA – In ways both large and small, it’s always such a joy to be a blessing to someone in need. Your kindhearted support reached across the globe to bring relief to Naserian, a widow who had faced more than her share of hardships. One of which was a daughter diagnosed with a benign brain tumor.
After losing her husband, Naserian was left to provide for her three children—Veronica, Cynthia, and Brighton—on her own. At the time, Operation Blessing ran a school in her area, and Naserian found a position to earn a stipend there, which helped sustain her family.
Diagnosed with a Benign Brain Tumor
Then last year, Naserian’s daughter Cynthia was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. Medical costs were piling up, and Naserian could not afford the critical procedure the 7-year-old child desperately needed. That’s where your compassion stepped in. Your incredible support covered the cost of Cynthia’s surgery and freed Naserian from the overwhelming stress of expensive medical bills.
Then, months after Cynthia was released from the hospital, another catastrophe struck. “The tragedy happened on a Sunday,” Naserian began. “We woke up, I prepared breakfast, and then prepared everyone for church. While at church … I started seeing people dashing outside one by one. Someone shouted there was a house on fire. Finally, I got the news that it was my house that was on fire. I rushed out only to find everything razed to the ground. We lost everything.”
Crying Out to GOD for Help
The shock was so intense that Naserian could barely walk, and she needed the support of her friends to keep her from collapsing. Naserian cried out to God and found comfort in the story of Job from the Bible, reminding herself that she still had reasons to be grateful.
Out of options, Naserian and her children moved into a tiny structure built of tin. Although they had lost all their belongings in the fire, the space was still too cramped for the family of four. They shared a single mattress, a heartbreaking contrast to their home before it had burned down. Now, they had no beds, no clothes, and limited food. Forced to cook inside the little room, Naserian told us the smoke from the open fire choked the family, causing coughing fits and irritating their eyes.
Naserian felt deep sadness as she watched her children suffer. She recalled, “I had no other plan or solution at the time, but to pray and wait upon the Lord. … I had no land or livestock I could sell to make money to build a new house or even use to meet my family’s needs. I cried to God … as the burdens that weighed my heart were heavy and overwhelming.”
An Answer to Prayer in the Form of Multiple Blessings
Once again, the committed kindness of donors like you was ready and waiting to provide hope in a time of crisis. Operation Blessing built a new concrete house for Naserian and her family, complete with a standalone kitchen and bathroom. Your generosity also provided food, clothes, school uniforms, and stationery for the children, ensuring they could continue to attend school.
This spring, Naserian and her children moved into their sturdy new home. Naserian said, “When Operation Blessing completed the construction of my house, I was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude as I could finally move into my new home with my family. From the main house to the kitchen and the restrooms, I am forever and eternally grateful.”
Through every trial, your loving compassion helped to ease the burdens carried by Naserian’s struggling family and provided a foundation of hope and stability on which to rebuild. Naserian expressed her deep appreciation, saying, “Since the passing of my husband, to my daughter falling ill, and now my house burning down, Operation Blessing has indeed been a blessing to me and my family. They have been by our side to love and to hold through it all.”
Your love has transformed the lives of Naserian and her children in miraculous ways. “I want to say a very big heartfelt thank you to Operation Blessing for all they have done for me and my family,” Naserian said in gratitude. “May the Lord greatly bless the desires of your hearts and the works of your hands. You are indeed God sent.”
INDIA – Childhood should be one of the most fun, carefree times of life. It’s often a period when you feel brave enough and bold enough to take on the world. Your body can bend and stretch in ways that will all too soon be unimaginable. Yet for some children, this isn’t the case. Some face a daily crucible of pain from clubfoot.
Sonam, a young girl in India, embodies some of these traits. She is brave and bold, yes—but because she was born with a clubfoot, her life has not been carefree. Clubfoot is a common birth defect that affects the muscles and bones in one’s feet. It typically causes the foot to point down and inward. In most cases, this affliction can be fixed without invasive surgery, but due to the severity of Sonam’s condition, she would need multiple surgeries.
Sonam’s foot was so drastically misaligned that the girl was forced to walk almost completely on the top side of her foot. Her ability to run and play like other children was limited—that is, until friends like YOU stepped in! Your outpouring of kindness not only changed Sonam’s life, but it also removed a heavy burden from her parents.“I am helpless,” Sonam’s father told us when he applied for surgery assistance. “I am afraid for her future and the pain she goes through.”
Multiple Surgeries Help Sonam Overcome Her Pain from Clubfoot
As a farmer, Sonam’s father works hard. Yet the five-part medical procedure necessary to heal Sonam cost more than he could afford. Thanks to Operation Blessing’s Life-Changing Surgeries program and donations from our online community, Sonam received the operations to heal her pain from clubfoot. Her family will forever be grateful for the kindness and compassion shown to their child by friends like you.
“I truly believe it’s a miracle,” said Sonam’s mother. “I used to feel sad seeing her condition, but now my husband and I are very happy and blessed that Sonam has fully recovered.” Sonam has grown into a spirited teenager who no longer has to face ridicule or discomfort from her once clubbed foot. After gaining full mobility, the jubilant girl can focus on her schooling—and her dream of becoming a teacher.
PRESS RELEASE: VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (September 10, 2024) – The humanitarian organization, Operation Blessing, has deployed its U.S. Disaster Relief team to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, ahead of an expected hurricane strike from Francine. Currently a tropical storm, Francine is forecasted to be at hurricane strength when it reaches the Louisiana coast on Wednesday.
Operation Blessing has deployed staff and assets from its Virginia Beach headquarters as well as from its warehouse in Bristol, TN. These include a work order trailer, construction trailer and several trucks carrying relief equipment and supplies. The team is driving to Baton Rouge, where it will connect with both Texas and Louisiana emergency management officials and plan for possible hurricane relief efforts as soon as the storm departs.
A History of Disaster Relief in New Orleans
Operation Blessing has a long history helping in the New Orleans area, dating back to Hurricane Katrina, which was a 3-year-long extensive deployment. During that time, Operation Blessing:
Coordinated tens of thousands of volunteers (265,000 hours) to help homeowners recover belongings and gut their homes
Distributed over $4.5 million in cash grants to help local non-profit groups strengthen their relief efforts
Provided a fleet of OBI tractor-trailers that transported over 12 million lbs. of life-sustaining relief supplies
Distributed $25 million dollars in medicine
Operated three kitchens that served over 1 million meals
Purchased a fleet of busses that were donated to the St. Bernard Parrish for transportation of relief workers and volunteers
Ran a free dental clinic in St. Bernard Parish and a free medical clinic in New Orleans East that provided free prescription medicines and free medical care to more than 30,000 residents
In addition to those efforts, Operation Blessing made national headlines through its efforts to help curb a potentially deadly outbreak of West Nile Encephalitis by supplying the city with hundreds of thousands of mosquito-eating fish that were stocked by OB volunteers in thousands of abandoned, stagnant swimming pools around the city.
ABOUT OPERATION BLESSING:
Operation Blessing (OB) provides humanitarian services such as strategic disaster relief, medical aid, hunger relief, clean water and community development. Founded in 1978, Operation Blessing has touched the lives of millions of people in more than 90 countries and every state. For more information on Operation Blessing International, please visit www.ob.org
