Natural disasters are devastating. They are traumatic for the ones who live through them. All of the devastation and terror can break hearts and spirits.
For Samaritan’s Purse, an evangelical Christian humanitarian aid organization that responds to crisis situations internationally, these times are the perfect opportunity for them to serve, in much the same way that Jesus Christ did.
“We are here because we believe it is our responsibility to come alongside folks who are experiencing one of the most traumatic times in their lives,” says Jeff Graham, Program Manager with the organization’s Rebuild program.
“We want people to know that we are here to serve them, to help as many as possible, and also, to remind them that God loves them and they’re not forgotten.”
And so, in early December, when the historic Quad State Tornado ripped through Western Kentucky, Samaritan’s Purse crisis volunteers were tracking the damage. They knew they needed to respond—that the people of Western Kentucky needed them to do what they did best.
They sent volunteers to serve as scouts, to examine the damage, and see the terror.
“It didn’t take long in this case to realize that this was very, very serious, very widespread storm damage,” Jeff recalls. “From there, we were able to put in the process to get our equipment and staff there and mobilize our volunteers to begin to assist homeowners who were impacted.”
They came. And, with them, they brought nearly 2,000 volunteers, often clad in bright orange shirts. They set up camp in the local Mayfield First Assembly of God Church where they housed volunteers, fed meals, and gave assignments.
Throughout the tornado’s path, from South Western Kentucky through Mayfield, Dawson Springs and even into Bowling Green, the crews picked up debris, helped homeowners salvage belongings, tarped roofs, and when homes could not be saved, helped with demolition.
One local volunteer recounted that, upon arriving at a clean-up site, she asked a team leader what was she needed to do. The team leader told her to clean up the yard as if it were her own. She raked until there were no limbs left, no wind-torn leaves on the ground, no pieces of other structures and other homes torn asunder. And then she and the crew moved to the next home.
For the people of Western Kentucky, the outpouring from the organization was overwhelming, but for Jeff and Samaritan’s Purse, it was all in a day’s work.
“We had a lot of people come in a short period of time because they wanted to serve and wanted to help people,” he says. “It’s a concrete way they can come alongside folks and help clean up and to care for some of these folks at the most difficult times in their lives.”
In the weeks after the tornado, the group blessed more than 900 homeowners with some level of assistance. Their work affected everyone they worked with, especially local leaders who were also working to pick up the pieces of their ravaged towns and city.
“Personally, I have been so inspired working with the leaders of Samaritan’s Purse that I hope I can volunteer with them someday responding to another county’s disaster,” says Jesse Perry, Graves County Judge Executive. “I have seen, firsthand, the impact that they can have in an area. We have been so blessed by having them here.”
And when it seemed like most of the initial crisis aid had packed up and headed to another disaster, when most of the debris had been removed, Samaritan’s Purse could have left as well.
But, they did something surprising. They announced that, instead of leaving, they planned to stay.
The group purchased property in Mayfield and announced that Western Kentucky would benefit from its Rebuild program, an opportunity for those impacted to receive a myriad of aid options geared at helping them to, well, rebuild their lives.
Jeff says the group has a goal of rebuilding or repairing more than 200 homes all along the tornado’s path. They are investing 25 full-time employees to the efforts, from skilled carpenters and foremen to support staff members. They’ll continue welcoming volunteers to help get homes built and repaired as quickly as possible, he says.
For homes that are too far from the Mayfield headquarters, homeowners can apply and benefit from a building materials assistance program, which funds all levels of building assistance, from materials even up to contractor fees.
For anyone impacted by the tornado, the group also will provide furniture assistance, which Jeff calls a “robust program.”
“Because of the generosity of our donors, if your home was destroyed and you lost your contents, whether you are a renter or a homeowner, we will be able to help provide a full bedroom, dining room and living room for those that qualify,” he says.
The group is even helping to shield from future disasters by offering a storm shelter installation program. Any new home will be equipped with a concrete interior safe room that can withstand an EF5 tornado. For others, underground shelters can be installed.
Jeff says the Rebuild program in Mayfield is expected to last 18 months. It is an investment in Western Kentucky that has not gone unnoticed.
“When I think of the people that came at the beginning and have stayed throughout, I think of Mercy Chefs and Samaritan’s Purse,” says Judge Perry. “They have done so much for us and they continue to be a huge resource for the people of Graves County.”
For Jeff and Samaritan’s Purse, the gratitude flows the other way.
“From the beginning, the community has been nothing but welcoming in allowing us to come in and set up shop and to do the work that we believe we are called to do,” he says. “We are grateful for that and we are grateful for the Mayfield Assembly of God providing us a base of operations. The church is the backbone of what we are doing in the community. Without the church, we couldn’t do what we are doing.”
Jeff is eager for his organization to be part of Western Kentucky’s renewal and rebuilding process, alongside others. He wants for the people to feel that God’s love is here with them as that happens. In place of broken spirits, the group wants full hearts and homes.
“We want people to know that we are here to serve them, to help as many as possible as we work through the application process,” he says. “We believe we are part of the evidence that God loves them and has not forgotten them. We’re not the only organization, other people are coming alongside because they care about them as well.”
“We want the community to know that we are here to help people get back home, as many as possible.”
