After Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake, Samaritan’s Purse answered the call—once again. Known globally for their emergency relief work, Samaritan’s Purse has launched their powerful Team Patriot initiative here in WNC, bringing hope and hands-on help to communities that need it most.
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This week, a fresh wave of volunteers rolled into town, parking the now-familiar Team Patriot van in the heart of the mountains. Their focus for the moment? Yancey County and the Burnsville, NC area, where rebuilding homes and restoring hope is job one.
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A Legacy of Service: About Samaritan’s Purse
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Founded in 1970 by Bob Pierce and led today by Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization that provides spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. From disaster relief to medical missions, they are often among the first boots on the ground when tragedy strikes.
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Their impact stretches across the globe—responding to natural disasters, fighting hunger, providing clean water, and supporting vulnerable communities. In every effort, the goal remains clear: help in Jesus’ name.
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What is Team Patriot?
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Team Patriot is a specialized arm of Samaritan’s Purse dedicated to disaster recovery within the United States. It’s made up of injured U.S. veterans and their families who serve as volunteers, bringing a unique spirit of resilience, sacrifice, and camaraderie to every project.
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Launched in 2018, Team Patriot gives American veterans a new mission: to help rebuild lives while finding community and purpose for themselves. It’s a beautiful exchange of healing and helping, and now—they’re doing it here in Western North Carolina.
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How Team Patriot is Helping WNC Right Now
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In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Team Patriot has:
- Repaired homes severely damaged by flooding and winds
- Helped clear debris, rebuild infrastructure, and restore community spaces
- Supported families who had lost almost everything
- Worked alongside local churches, nonprofits, and residents to rebuild trust and community
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Their presence in Yancey County this week is just the latest step in a broader commitment to see WNC stronger, safer, and whole again.
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How You Can Help
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If you feel moved to support this incredible mission, there are several ways to get involved:
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👥 Volunteer: You don’t need construction skills to help! Samaritan’s Purse provides training on-site. Volunteers help with debris removal, cleaning, rebuilding homes, and offering encouragement. Volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse.
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💰 Donate: Financial gifts help provide materials, equipment, and direct assistance to families in need. Every dollar helps rebuild. Donate to Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief in WNC.
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📣 Spread the Word: Share their mission with your network. Awareness creates action—and WNC still needs all the help it can get.
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A Big WNC Thank You
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To the volunteers of Team Patriot and the staff at Samaritan’s Purse: thank you for bringing hope, healing, and a hammer when our community needed it most.
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Let’s continue standing together, rebuilding stronger, and reminding each other that in Western North Carolina, no one has to recover alone.
