SAMARITAN'S PURSE CONTINUES REBUILDING HOMES IN NORTH CAROLINA ONE YEAR AFTER HURRICANE HELENE

BOONE, N.C., Sept. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- One year later, Samaritan's Purse is still hard at work helping families rebuild in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee after Hurricane Helene devastated these mountain communities. With bases of operation in Buncombe, Yancey, and Watauga County, Samaritan's Purse is sending out teams of volunteers from these locations to come alongside families who are hurting. The organization's long-term rebuild program includes building new homes, replacing mobile homes, completing major home repairs and rebuilding surrounding infrastructure such as driveways, bridges, and culverts.

"I never dreamed of ever having a new home. We're so blessed. I met so many volunteers that I fell in love with. They feel like family. All of this is just so amazing. I hardly have words to describe it," said Keva Messer, the recipient of the first home Samaritan's Purse rebuilt after Hurricane Helene.

So far, the N.C.-based organization has completed or is in the process of constructing more than 40 brand-new homes and has delivered 17 mobile homes with an additional 30 in progress. Samaritan's Purse has also replaced 223 ruined vehicles, provided furniture and appliances to more than 2,900 families, and supplied over 170 campers as short-term housing solutions.

"These homes are the first of many. They are built by God's people and we give each one in Jesus' Name because we want these families who have suffered so much to know that God hasn't turned His back on them—He loves them," said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse.

In Swannanoa, just down the road from where he grew up, Graham recently helped one mother step into her new mobile home for the first time. She had just given birth to a baby a week earlier, and tears streamed down her face when she walked into the room she planned to use as the nursery.

"The first time we met many of these families, they were overwhelmed with suffering. Only God could turn grief and pain into tears of joy like this," Graham said. "We are grateful for the thousands of generous people who have given and contributed to this rebuild program, and we thank God for making it possible to give these families a real place to call home."  

All homes are provided free of charge and fully furnished. Families still in need after Hurricane Helene are encouraged to apply for the Samaritan's Purse rebuild program. More information is available at SamaritansPurse.org/HeleneRebuild.

"I hope that [the volunteers] always know what a difference they've made for us. Every single one of them have changed our lives. And not just because there's a new building here, it's made my faith even stronger," said Kim Mitchum, who received a brand-new home in July.

During the initial disaster response, over 35,000 Samaritan's Purse volunteers helped more than 4,400 families with flood-recovery efforts in western North Carolina. The organization simultaneously coordinated 358 air missions, delivering more than 800,000 pounds of cargo to 160 cut-off communities. Air missions and hundreds of ground deliveries carried critically needed items such as, water, food, Starlinks, generators, fuel, winter clothes, and more to families in desperate need.

MEDIA REQUEST FORM

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

• Interview Edward Graham, Chief Operating Officer of Samaritan's Purse.
• Interview Luther Harrison, Vice President of North American Ministries for Samaritan's Purse.
• Download high-res photos and broadcast-quality b-roll of the response efforts here.

ABOUT SAMARITAN'S PURSE

Based in Boone, North Carolina, Samaritan's Purse responds to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations—especially in locations where few others are working. Led by President and CEO Franklin Graham, Samaritan's Purse works in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine, and persecution. For more information, visit SamaritansPurse.org.

SOURCE Samaritan's Purse