Thanksgiving After Hurricane Helene: The Community Spirit Shines
So there’s this story – imagine Felicia Honeycutt, right? She’s miles away at work when Hurricane Helene decides to host an all-you-can-eat buffet of destruction on her hometown. Three days later, she finally makes it home to her ailing husband. And you thought your commute was bad! But fear not, for the heroes of the day are none other than the good folks at Samaritan’s Purse, who swoop in like a cheesy action movie with turkeys and fixings galore – just in time for Thanksgiving.
In partnership with Gen. Dick Cody, we provided turkeys and fixings to families still digging out after Hurricane Helene.
As the bourbon turkey cooks and the pies cool, Felicia echoes the sentiments of countless others, saying, “This Thanksgiving I’m just thankful to be alive.” And let’s be honest: sometimes just being alive is a massive win! Felicia’s got her whole family together – a rare occurrence, which is lovely, and probably less bickering over who stole the last slice of pumpkin pie!
Meanwhile, while Felicia is dodging the aftermath of Helene, Samaritan’s Purse is flying in like modern-day Santa Clauses – well, if Santa started a disaster relief fund. They airlifted not just turkeys, but also water, food, generators, and medical supplies. And who’s tagging along for the ride? None other than U.S. Army General Dick Cody, piloting his own aircraft! Honestly, if that doesn’t scream “leveling up your Thanksgiving,” I don’t know what does.
With the community still reeling two months after the storm, Pastor Rick Wilson, a deacon at the local church, noted that working together has knit the community tighter than my grandma’s Christmas sweater. “It’s just amazing how good they worked together,” he said, probably wishing someone worked just as hard on the church’s potluck schedule.
The church, by the way, saw some horrendous flooding, but fear not! Samaritan’s Purse set up a large tent, proving once again that when life gives you floods, you throw a tent party! And while they’re munching on Thanksgiving meals, you can bet there’s a side order of prayer being served. Who knew turkey could go so well with spiritual uplift?
Blessed After the Storm
Veronica Willis, another community member, shares her own horror story. Imagine being without power for 33 days, all while caring for your husband who has heart problems. Talk about a horror movie pitch! Yet, even with all this, she finds gratitude. “We were digging into those coats like it was Christmas time. It was amazing,” she stated, their spirits evidently high, perhaps fueled by the prospect of a turkey dinner. It’s like The Hunger Games, except in a much friendlier, more charitable Hunger Games.
The outpouring of support has clearly brought a glimmer of hope – and the promise of future turkey feasts – to the community. It’s a reminder that in times of calamity, the best of humanity shines through even brighter than your uncle’s infamous holiday sweaters. They joke about being “cut off,” but you try explaining the logistics of a boxed turkey in mid-air!
And speaking of logistics, if you’d like to effectively help those affected by Hurricane Helene, Samaritan’s Purse is still active in the area, clearing out homes and delivering care. So, if you’re feeling a little *thankful* yourself, consider donating. Because let’s be real; you don’t want the challenge of cooking for families who’ve just weathered storms, literal and metaphorical. And they could really use a helping hand. Plus, you get the warm, fuzzy feeling of doing good, which is just like holiday lights for your soul.
So here’s to Felicia, Rick, Veronica, and everyone else in Big Creek. May your future Thanksgivings be filled with family, laughter, and food. And may we all remember to be thankful—even if it’s just for having survived the latest family gathering without a brawl. Cheers!
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Every donation to US Disaster Relief helps Samaritan’s Purse respond to disasters like Hurricane Helene and ensures that love and support keep rolling in for families who really need it.
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One resident, Felicia Honeycutt, expressed profound gratitude as she received Thanksgiving meals from Samaritan’s Purse, reflecting the generosity of the organization in a time of need.
In partnership with Gen. Dick Cody, we provided turkeys and fixings to families still digging out after Hurricane Helene, demonstrating solidarity with the community.
Felicia, who had been miles away from home at work during the worst impacts of Hurricane Helene, faced a challenging journey to return to her ailing husband in the Big Creek community of Yancey County, North Carolina. After three long days of uncertainty, she finally made it back to her family, emphasizing the emotional and physical toll the storm took on her life.
As Thanksgiving approaches, residents of the affected areas find themselves more than two months into an arduous recovery process, with lingering uncertainties about when life will return to normal. Felicia was among the hundreds of residents assisted by Samaritan’s Purse, who provided essential supplies such as water, food, and generators in the wake of the disaster.
Felicia shared her heartfelt gratitude, despite the challenges her community continues to face. “This Thanksgiving I’m just thankful to be alive,” she said, underscoring the resilience of her spirit. “And I’m thankful for family and having them all together. This year, I’ll have them all. Usually there’s one that doesn’t make it, but we’re going to have them all this year, so I’m thankful for that.”
In the days following the hurricane, Samaritan’s Purse conducted several airlifts into Big Creek and the surrounding areas, delivering water, food, generators, and crucial medical supplies, ensuring the community received essential aid. U.S. Army General Dick Cody was actively involved, personally piloting aircraft to facilitate these important deliveries.
Gen. Cody continued his collaboration with Samaritan’s Purse this week, providing Thanksgiving meals to many families in the Big Creek area. Our teams skillfully coordinated the distribution of meals from Big Creek Freewill Baptist Church, a local congregation that suffered catastrophic flooding. To support their ongoing efforts, we provided a large tent so they could continue meeting despite the loss of their building. As residents gathered for the meals, many also sought prayer, highlighting the community’s deep spiritual engagement during tough times.
Rick Wilson, a lifelong resident of Big Creek and a dedicated deacon at the church, spoke about how the storm brought the community closer together. “Working together has been really good for the community,” he remarked. “It’s just amazing how good they worked together,” illustrating the power of unity in adversity.
Rick emphasized that the efforts of Samaritan’s Purse serve as a reminder that their community, which faced isolation during the storm, has not been forgotten. This includes the Thanksgiving meals provided by Gen. Cody himself, reinforcing the sense of hope and support.
From his home adjacent to the church, Rick observed as the airlifts, including several of General Cody’s flights, brought vital supplies to the area. “He was amazing. Some kind of a gentleman there,” he said. “It’s just been a big help to the community. It’s just a blessing and a big help to the whole community. People couldn’t get out. We didn’t have any way out, you know? If we hadn’t had [airlifts], it would have been bad.”
Veronica Willis, another devoted member of the church, shared her harrowing experience during the hurricane while receiving essential food items such as turkey, rolls, sides, and pies for her family. She endured 33 days without power while caring for a husband with heart problems, showcasing the immense challenges faced by many residents.
Veronica praised the supplies from Samaritan’s Purse as critical lifelines during their time of need, including the winter clothing that was recently distributed. “That was absolutely wonderful,” she expressed. “We were digging into those coats like it was Christmas time. It was amazing. I’ve never seen so much outpouring of love,” highlighting the kindness extended by the organization and the community.
On the brink of preparing her Thanksgiving meal, Veronica found that the turkey dinner provided by Samaritan’s Purse couldn’t have come at a better moment. “This is just an added blessing,” she said, reflecting the relief and joy provided by the unexpected support.
Samaritan’s Purse continues its dedicated work in the affected region, deploying volunteers to help clean out homes and assist with property damaged by the storm. Please continue to pray for the families still grappling with the aftermath and facing many difficult days ahead.
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US Disaster Relief Every donation to US Disaster Relief supplies us to respond to disasters like the Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters in our nation. Samaritan’s Purse mobilizes and prepares thousands of volunteers to provide emergency help to victims of floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and hurricanes. Wherever we go, we carry comfort and the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, remaining committed to rebuilding homes for those who have nowhere else to turn for assistance.
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How has practicing gratitude influenced your perspective on resilience after experiencing Hurricane Helene?
**Title: Resilience and Gratitude: A Thanksgiving Reflection After Hurricane Helene**
**Interviewer:** Today, we have Felicia Honeycutt with us, a resident of Big Creek, North Carolina, who faced unimaginable challenges during Hurricane Helene. Felicia, thank you for joining us.
**Felicia Honeycutt:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to share our story.
**Interviewer:** Can you describe the moment you returned home after the hurricane? How did it feel to finally reunite with your family?
**Felicia:** It was overwhelming. I had been away for three long days, worrying about my husband and our home. When I finally arrived, it was such a relief. I was just thankful to be with my family again. After everything we went through, being alive and together felt like the biggest win.
**Interviewer:** I can only imagine. You mentioned the support from Samaritan’s Purse. How did their assistance impact your community during this difficult time?
**Felicia:** Samaritan’s Purse was like a light in the darkness. They didn’t just provide meals; they brought water, generators, and essential supplies when we desperately needed them. It helped us get through the toughest days as we started to rebuild our lives. Their support made us feel cared for and connected.
**Interviewer:** That’s heartwarming. You shared that this Thanksgiving is particularly special for you. Why is that?
**Felicia:** This year, I have all my family together, which is rare. Typically, one person or another can’t make it. So, being able to celebrate together, especially after everything we’ve been through, really fills my heart with gratitude. As chaotic as family dinners can be, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a well-deserved gathering. Veronica Willis, another community member, mentioned enduring 33 days without power while caring for her husband. The resilience in your community is inspiring. How has this ordeal pulled everyone closer together?
**Felicia:** Absolutely. It’s amazing how adversity can unite us. We have come together to support each other in ways we never thought possible. The spirit of cooperation and understanding is stronger than ever. We’ve become more like family, looking out for one another, and finding joy in the smallest things, like sharing a meal or a laugh.
**Interviewer:** That’s a beautiful sentiment. Looking ahead, what message do you want to convey to others about resilience and gratitude during tough times?
**Felicia:** I want to remind everyone that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes, but it’s essential to cherish the moments we have with our loved ones. Gratitude doesn’t come from what we have but from appreciating the people around us. Together, we can overcome any storm.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Felicia. Your story is a testament to resilience and the power of community spirit. We wish you and your family a joyful Thanksgiving and continued strength as you heal and rebuild.
**Felicia:** Thank you so much. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
