Thank you! Together we’ve already helped 233,585 children and adults affected
by this year’s hurricanes. We are partnering with 75 local churches and organizations
to provide immediate relief and start long-term recovery efforts both in the USA and in
nations like the Caymans, Cuba, Haiti, Grenada, Jamaica and the Bahamas. Meet Howard and
Eleanor as well as Antonio; these two families represent thousands of others who are so
grateful for the help they received during their time of need.
Elderly Couple Survives Three Hurricanes
“Living through three hurricanes is an experience we hope we never have again,”
reflected Howard. “We are grateful to God that he spared our lives.”
Over the last three months Howard and his wife Eleanor evacuated to their son’s
home three times. When the Florida skies finally cleared, they went back to their damaged
house to assess the damage. Everything in their refrigerator and freezer had spoiled.
They were without power for two weeks and water for two days. Howard could not go back
to work for three weeks because the building was damaged.
Howard and Eleanor survive on a meager income and could not afford to replace the food
they had lost. A diabetic, Eleanor was running low on medication. Help came for them
when Operation Blessing’s partner First Presbyterian Church, found out about the
couple’s need. Soon they received financial help for food, medicine and home repairs!
Florida Family Braced for Hurricane
Before Hurricane Frances hit, Antonio, his wife and three children boarded up the windows
and waited out the storm in their living room. As hours crept by, high winds scared
the family many times. They ended up loosing power for two weeks, had some roof damage,
water damage and lost a fence. Antonio was worried because he could not go back to work
as a church custodian for eight days. Many of the houses his wife cleaned in Vero Beach
had been damaged; stripping that income away too. They could did not know how there
would be enough money for the insurance deductible when normal bills were usually a
challenge.
The family is from Venezuela and has only been in the United States for a couple of
years. Because of their limited English, finding out how to get hurricane relief assistance
was a little more difficult. A friend heard of their need and put them in contact with
one of our partners. Antonio soon received help to buy roofing repair supplies. For
several days the family came to a relief outpost for hot meals. “We did not know
what to do,” commented Antonio. “The house was wet inside; we were not able
to use any water; and we didn’t have any lights. I was so happy when you came
to help us.”
Support Recovery Efforts
Our hurricane recovery efforts are not over yet! “OBI will be there for the long
run to help rebuild lives,” stated our president Bill Horan. “We are committed
to stand by those needing on-going help.”
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.
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