University Volunteers Serve Veterans and Families Through Operation Blessing

CHESAPEAKE, VA – The energy was contagious at the Operation Blessing warehouse in Chesapeake as Regent University volunteers rolled up their sleeves to bring hope to families in crisis.

Estella, a longtime Operation Blessing team member, beamed with gratitude: “I’m here with the Regent University employees. They are with us packing items for disaster relief and hunger relief in the U.S. We are so excited to have them.”

Among those volunteering was Arielle, representing the Enrollment Management Department at Regent. “We have our admissions, advising, and processing teams here—just giving back and serving as best as we can.”

But this wasn’t just any volunteer day. These teams came together for a powerful cause: to support Helping the Home Front, a program that serves military families and veterans in financial crisis. As Estella shared, “Those are meal boxes that help veterans and military families who are just paycheck to paycheck. I know that firsthand—I was a military family as well. So all of these are so impactful.”

A Hands-On Way to Serve for Regent University Volunteers

The teams of Regent University volunteers packed hygiene kits and emergency relief boxes—the very same kind that have been distributed in places like North Carolina and California following wildfires and floods.

Savi, one of the volunteers, said, “It feels amazing to be able to serve in this kind of manner. You just think—what would Jesus do to help these families? And it brings so much joy.”

That joy was shared by Allison, another volunteer, who said, “It feels amazing. I mean, we definitely want to come back. I feel like I’ve made some really good friendships with Operation Blessing.”

For many of these volunteers, the experience went beyond just lending a hand. It was a spiritual mission. “Thank you for all that you do,” Arielle said, addressing the donors who made it all possible. “Thank you for supporting this operation. Thank you for providing a way for us to serve so that we can be good stewards of God.”

Savi added, “If you’re trying to find a way to serve and you don’t necessarily have the finances to do so, this is an excellent way. You’ll feel useful—and you’ll be living out your faith.”

Because of You, Hope Reaches the Hurting

Estella summed it up. “We’re so grateful that we’re able to bring help and hope to hurting people. We can’t do it without our volunteers—and without our partners.”

Because of friends like you, Operation Blessing can continue meeting needs and restoring dignity to families across America.

Learn how you can get involved today at ob.org/volunteer.

A Family’s Road to Recovery after the Kentucky Tornadoes

HELP DISASTER VICTIMS NOW

KENTUCKY – For Garnett, his farm was more than land—it was a legacy. “My mom and dad bought this place in 1985. This is where our dairy started… We milked cows here for 30 years… It’s just part of me,” he shared. That peaceful life was shattered in a moment when the violent Kentucky tornadoes ripped through his community.

That night, Garnett and his wife had just gone to bed when emergency alerts pierced the silence. “I said, ‘Everybody get in the car!’” he remembered. Their children were asleep. They had seconds to react. At daybreak, Garnett stepped outside and couldn’t believe his eyes. “It was just unbelievable,” he said. The land that had nurtured his family for decades now lay in ruin.

volunteers provide help after destructive Kentucky Tornadoes

You Sent Help—Just in Time

Amid the shock and sorrow, a neighbor told Garnett something he’ll never forget: “Mr. Jeff Thurman said Operation Blessing was coming, and it was a blessing, really was.”

Because of compassionate partners like you, Operation Blessing teams quickly mobilized in the hardest-hit areas of Kentucky. Volunteers arrived not just with tools and supplies—but with servant hearts and willing hands. They tackled piles of storm debris, and moved much of it by hand.

Garnett said, “It was just unbelievable.”

Because of You, Hope Took Root Again

Friends like you didn’t just help clean up debris—you restored dignity and hope to a man who had lost nearly everything. Garnett’s gratitude was deep and real. “I can’t express how happy I am with it. It’s just—it’s amazing.”

Michael, one of the volunteers you helped send, put it this way: “If I have the skills and the energy to make a difference… then absolutely, I’ve got to take the time to do it.” And he did—starting with breakfast for the team and ending with hands in the rubble.

“What you do now will impact their lives forever more than this disaster will,” Michael said. And Garnett knows that’s true—because he lived it.

You Were the Blessing Garnett Needed

Because of friends like you, Operation Blessing was able to show up quickly with food, cleanup teams, and heartfelt support for victims of the Kentucky Tornadoes. You gave Garnett more than relief—you gave him the strength to believe in a better tomorrow.

Let’s keep responding with love. Help more families like Garnett’s today.

How You and Superbook Helped a Struggling Child Find Christ

GIVE TO ORPHAN’S PROMISE

CAMBODIA – For 10-year-old Chan Teang, school used to feel overwhelming. She struggled to keep up with her classmates and often felt discouraged. “It’s hard when I see someone in class doing better than me,” she said. “I get so jealous and angry. I had a hard time learning anything because there was no one at home to help me.” But your generosity would soon change that, and it also helped a child find Christ!

When her parents left to find work in another city, Chan Teang went to live with her grandmother. But her grandmother, busy tending to the family’s cows, had little time to support Chan Teang’s education.

A Orphan’s Promise After School Program Helped a Child Find Christ

She joined an after-school program supported by our Orphan’s Promise, where she received help with her schoolwork—and was introduced to Superbook, an animated Bible series. “The story was so cool,” she shared. “I had never seen a cartoon like it before.”

One episode stood out above the rest: He Is Risen.

“Jesus died on the cross for my sins,” Chan Teang said. “He did nothing wrong, but the army punished Him by nailing Him to the cross. I wanted to cry. This story taught me that God wants to forgive us.” That moment led her to make a life-changing decision—she prayed to trust Jesus as her Savior. It’s amazing how a simple program like Superbook helped a child find Christ.

Since then, her confidence and academic performance have soared. “My studies have improved so much. I can now read, write, and even do well in math. I’m now in the top five of my class!”

But the story doesn’t end there.

Chan Teang Shared the Good News with Friends

Chan Teang couldn’t keep the joy to herself. She began sharing Superbook with her friends and even invited them to church. “Three of my friends now know Jesus and believe in Him because of Superbook,” she said with a big smile. “I’m so happy about that.”

All of this was made possible because of friends like you. Your compassionate giving provides children like Chan Teang with educational support, spiritual hope, and the opportunity to build a brighter future.

Thank you for giving the gift of Superbook and for supporting our Orphan’s Promise. Through your generosity, you helped a child find Christ.

GIVE TO ORPHAN’S PROMISE

In the Aftermath of Powerful Tornadoes in Kentucky, Hope is Prevailing

HELP DISASTER VICTIMS NOW

KENTUCKY – When powerful tornadoes in Kentucky ripped through Laurel County, the destruction was swift and overwhelming. Homes were shredded. Power lines toppled. Families emerged from the wreckage to find their world turned upside down.

But in the middle of this heartbreaking scene, hope is taking root—thanks to faithful partners, local leaders, and friends like you.

Operation Blessing Responds at the Heart of the Disaster

Operation Blessing Responds to powerful tornadoes in Kentucky.

Just hours after the powerful tornadoes in Kentucky hit, Operation Blessing’s U.S. Disaster Relief team was on the road with truckloads of emergency supplies and a simple prayer: “Lord, show us where to serve.”

“We didn’t know exactly where we’d set up,” shared Kevin, Operation Blessing team leader. “We had a few pallets of food left and were looking for a place close to the damage. That’s when God opened the door.”

That door came in the form of local churches and leaders. Souls Harbor Church connected OB to WB Transport, a business located in the epicenter of the damage. And when Mayor Randall Weddle heard about the need, he personally stepped in to give permission for OB to serve from the site.

“Now we’re right where we need to be,” Kevin said. “We’ve set up our mobile kitchen, deployed clean-up crews, and started work orders—right in the middle of the hardest-hit area.”

A Mayor Led by Faith

For Mayor Weddle, the disaster wasn’t just a civic challenge—it was a moment of personal conviction.

“I was here within seconds of the tornado passing,” he recalled. “All we had were headlights and flashlights. The power lines were down, people were injured. But something kicked in. It was time to help my people.”

The reality of the storm’s destruction didn’t fully hit until daybreak. “You could see everything,” he said. “But you could also see the response—churches, volunteers, Christian organizations showing up with food, prayer, whatever we needed.”

Mayor Weddle, a committed believer, made it clear: “Without God, we’re not going to get through this. And without organizations like Operation Blessing, we couldn’t begin to heal.”

Hot Meals, Prayer, and Practical Help

hot meals and prayer for victims from powerful tornadoes in Kentucky

Since arriving, Operation Blessing has served thousands of hot meals, deployed cleanup teams to remove dangerous debris, and offered compassionate prayer support to families who’ve lost everything.

“We’re not just dropping off supplies—we’re meeting people face to face, praying with them, and reminding them that God sees them,” Kevin said.

The support from local volunteers has been remarkable. School staff, church members, and residents have joined OB’s efforts, delivering food, helping neighbors, and doing whatever it takes to bring comfort and care.

“This community is resilient,” Kevin said. “And with God’s help—and the help of friends like you—we’re going to see healing happen here.”

Be Part of the Recovery

Operation Blessing remains on the ground in London, walking alongside families in crisis. As a trusted disaster relief charity, we’re committed to bringing hope where it’s needed most—through faith, compassion, and love in action.

HELP DISASTER VICTIMS RECOVER

Let’s stand with Kentucky. Let’s rebuild—together.

Hope for the Hurting: A Message to Kentucky Tornado Victims

HELP DISASTER VICTIMS NOW

KENTUCKY – In the wake of a powerful EF-3 tornado, entire neighborhoods in Kentucky have been turned upside down. Families are sifting through rubble. Homes are gone. Lives are forever changed. For many Kentucky tornado victims, it feels like the unthinkable has become their new reality.

But even in the chaos, there is hope.

Reaching Kentucky Tornado Survivors with Help and Compassion

Pastor Brad, a local leader and firsthand witness to the storm’s devastation, shared his experience. “It’s like a scene out of a movie,” he said. “But God is here in the middle of it. And He’s asking us to love on His people now.”

That love is showing up in practical ways—through ministries like Operation Blessing, which continues to respond in London and surrounding areas. We’re on the ground distributing critical aid to Kentucky tornado survivors, including:

🧺 Cleanup kits filled with tools and supplies to help clear debris
🍽️ Emergency meal kits to feed families who’ve lost everything
🙏 Spiritual support and prayer, bringing comfort to the brokenhearted

Delivering Supplies to Survivors of Kentucky Tornado When They’re Needed Most

As trailers rolled into the disaster zone packed with essentials, the response from the community was one of deep gratitude. “Seeing those supplies come in—it’s overwhelming,” said Pastor Brad. “We need the buckets to carry out debris. We need the food. And we need to know someone still sees us.”

Every bucket, every box, every meal distributed represents more than just aid—it’s a reminder that the people of Kentucky are not forgotten.

If you’re a Kentucky tornado victim or someone looking to help, know that Operation Blessing is here. And we’re not leaving.

“You almost feel like you’re in a war zone… something you don’t think will happen to your local community.”
— Pastor Brad, London, Kentucky

How You Can Provide Support to Kentucky Tornado Victims

Right now, you can offer support to disaster victims through generosity, prayer, and action. Your gift helps deliver tangible relief—supplies, food, care, and cleanup materials—to those who need it most.

🙏 Pray for the families starting over
🎁 Donate to help provide critical aid
🤝 Share this story to raise awareness and inspire others

Together, we can be the hands and feet of Jesus to the hurting.

Join a Trusted Disaster Response Charity in Making a Difference

At Operation Blessing, we’ve responded to disasters around the world—and we’re committed to our neighbors in Kentucky. As a trusted disaster relief charity, our mission is to bring hope where it’s needed most, guided by faith, compassion, and love in action.

HELP DISASTER VICTIMS NOW

Let’s stand with Kentucky. Let’s rebuild—together.

Kentucky Tornado Response

HELP DISASTER VICTIMS NOW

When an EF-3 tornado tore through London, Kentucky, it left a trail of destruction almost too painful to describe. Entire neighborhoods were flattened. Families lost everything. Lives were turned upside down in a matter of moments.

But even in the midst of heartbreak, we can show them they are not alone—thanks to compassionate friends like you.

On the Frontlines After A Tornado Devastates London, Kentucky

When Operation Blessing’s U.S. Disaster Relief team arrived in London, we found a community in crisis. Streets were barely recognizable. Many homes were completely gone. Survivors stood in stunned silence among the wreckage, unsure where to turn.

Pastor Parrett, a local leader, walked with us through the hardest-hit neighborhoods. He pointed to houses that once belonged to church members, coworkers, friends. Each structure told a story of loss. And yet, amidst the rubble, there was a quiet strength: neighbors helping neighbors, clinging to their faith, ready to rebuild.

And because of you, Operation Blessing is ready to respond. We are on the ground to bring disaster relief to those who need it most.

How You Can Help with Kentucky Tornado Relief

When disaster strikes, every moment counts. You can make a real difference in the lives of families across Kentucky who are facing unimaginable loss.

Here’s how you can take action:

Make a disaster response donation to fuel ongoing relief efforts
Share this story to raise awareness in your community
Lift up London, Kentucky in prayer, as families begin the long journey to recovery

A Call to Compassion

This community is hurting—but they are not alone. As believers, neighbors, and human beings, we are called to respond with love and action. Every gift—whether large or small—helps provide shelter, sustenance, and hope to someone who has lost everything.

Join Operation Blessing in our Kentucky tornado response today. Together, we can bring healing to London and restore what’s been broken.

Volunteers Bring Relief to a Flooded Community

HELP DISASTER VICTIMS NOW

Ryan, a father of two, stood in front of the damaged house his family calls home and the remnants of his flooded community. “There’s normally not water here,” he said. “It’s normally just a hill and a road.” But after heavy rains, the hill turned into a powerful stream, nearly 200 feet wide, cutting through their neighborhood and leaving destruction in its wake.

For weeks, the family felt stuck—unsure where to begin. The task felt too overwhelming to tackle alone. “We didn’t do anything to our house until after a month,” he said.

A Welcome Helping Hand for a Flooded Community

That’s when Operation Blessing volunteers arrived to help the once flooded community recover from the damage. Coming from outside the community—and even from outside the country—they stepped in to help clean up, repair, and restore what the flood had taken. Their presence brought not just practical help, but also renewed hope.

“It’s been a huge blessing to us,” he said. “To learn to let others help us with our home—and to pour into our lives—has really meant a lot.”

Restoring More Than a House

As volunteers pulled up flooring, carried out debris, and helped rebuild, they also reminded this family that they weren’t alone. Together with your support, they showed up—people with no personal connection—just a desire to help.

“It’s encouraging to see people take time away from their lives to help us get back to normal,” he said simply.

Moving Forward Together

While the damage from the flood was significant, this family’s story is now marked by community and kindness. With the support of caring volunteers and friends like you, they’ve taken meaningful steps toward recovery.

Thanks to your generosity, families like theirs are reminded that even in hard seasons, they’re not forgotten. Your love is helping to restore homes—and hope—one family at a time.

A Journey to Clean Vision by Faith, Not by Sight

SOUTH AFRICA – Shay Lee is a bright, spirited girl in South Africa who has always struggled to see the world around her. For as long as she can remember, her surroundings have been a blur, making the dream of clean vision seem almost impossible due to a condition that caused problems with her corneas.

Shay Lee’s mother was desperate for Shay Lee’s vision to be healed so she could enjoy the beauty around her and be successful in school, and eventually adulthood. “She is on eyedrops and gels and many different treatments, but nothing has worked,” said Shay Lee’s mother. Even with glasses, Shay Lee still struggled to see. The only thing that would heal her and restore her vision was a cornea transplant. Shay Lee spent five years on the donor list because this type of transplant is so rare in her country.

The Miracle of Cornea Surgery

Then, friends like you came along and helped Shay Lee receive a miracle—corneas sent from the US! Your kindness made this gift possible, giving Shay Lee and her mother renewed hope for healing and the promise of clean vision. You gave this family who already experienced their share of trials a new lease on life.Just two short weeks after surgery, Shay Lee’s world changed. She still wore glasses, but this time it was different.

Operation Blessing charity providing surgery

Shay Lee said, “Mommy, I have never seen so well before. I can see everything close up and far away!” For the first time, Shay Lee was experiencing the joy of clean vision, seeing both close up and far away with clarity she had never known. There are no words to fully express the gratitude sweet Shay Lee and her mother have for the invaluable partners and donors of Operation Blessing, but their hearts and smiles say it all.

the miracle of life changing cornea surgery

Thank you for helping Operation Blessing bring help and hope to those like Shay Lee.

Portraits of Promise for a Turkey Earthquake Survivor

TURKEY – The water dripped constantly, seeping between the many cracks in the pile of debris cobbled together to act as shelter for the family of nine after the Turkey earthquake of 2023. As a Turkey earthquake survivor, Emel listened to the dripping with growing anxiety. Soon, the water would find its way to her and the rest of her family, as it always did. Then, the coughing and sickness would likely follow.

To 10-year-old Emel, life seemed like a portrait of hardship defined by loss, displacement, and rejection. Born into a Syrian refugee family, she spent much of her childhood caught in a relentless cycle of uncertainty and survival. Her parents, once successful professionals in Syria, fled the war in 2014 with nothing and settled in Turkey. With no other options, they survived by collecting scrap metal.

Bullied and Taunted for Being a Refugee

At her new school, Emel quickly learned that being a refugee made her different, and in the eyes of many, unwelcome. The taunts came first, sharp words whispered behind her back. Soon, the pushing and hitting began. Teachers, who should have been her protectors, turned a blind eye, offering no help, no encouragement—only indifference.

She longed to fit in, to find a friend, but the message was clear: she didn’t belong. Day after day, she sat in silence, shoulders hunched, eyes fixed on her desk. She had already lost her home— and now, she was losing herself. She stopped believing that anyone cared about her at all.

The Daily Hardship of a Turkey Earthquake Survivor

Then, the earthquake in southeast Turkey turned their pitiful house to rubble, leaving the family homeless once again. For eight months, Emel’s family lived in a makeshift shelter of old wooden doors and debris. Every time it rained, the water poured in, and the endless drips would begin again. It felt as if hope itself had crumbled, just like their home.

But kindness has a way of shining brightest in the darkest of places. Emel and her family, like many a Turkey earthquake survivor, received life-changing support from friends like you. A team from our Orphan’s Promise Borders of Love outreach found Emel’s family and helped them relocate to a camp made of safe container homes—a place where they could finally feel secure.

But perhaps the even greater gift was that it was a place where Emel felt seen. Three times a week, she and her siblings attend classes at our Borders of Love community center, a safe space designed to bring learning, creativity, and joy to displaced children. Thanks to friends like you, we provide English lessons, arts and crafts, and games, giving Emel a chance to explore a world beyond the unimaginable hardships she has faced. Now, Emel and her siblings celebrate birthdays, receive warm meals and clothing, and experience the love they had long lived without.

Your Kindness Changed Everything

Once a child who blended into the background, Emel is now a vibrant part of a new portrait painted with hope—all because supporters like you care about at-risk children and provide them with safe spaces and educational opportunities. She has friends. She laughs. She raises her hand in class. Emel has become a leader among her peers and dreams of becoming an English teacher to help children just like her. No longer does she feel like an outsider weighed down by rejection. Through your kindness, Emel is finding the gift of belonging.

Emel’s story has become a portrait of promise. Her desperate loneliness has been replaced with the excitement of learning, playing, and splashing in water on hot summer days—simple pleasures that once seemed impossible. The Turkey earthquake survivor who once lived in the shadows of war and disaster is now thriving and looking forward to a future filled with hope and opportunity.

We are deeply grateful for your generous hearts that make transformations like this possible. Your compassion is more than a gift—it is a quiet and confident voice that speaks through the dark, telling children like Emel, “You matter.” Emel’s future is no longer defined by what she has lost, but by the promise of what’s to come, and that’s thanks to you.

You Provided More Than Just Meals for Hurricane Survivors in Mexico

MEXICO – For Concepcion, one of many hurricane survivors in Mexico, life was going well enough before the storm. Her days were filled with preparing delicious meals and smoothies for weary travelers that found themselves in Acapulco, Mexico. By cooking for them, Concepcion was able to provide a steady enough income for herself.

When a Category 5 hurricane hit her city, it left behind a trail of devastation. Within a few furious hours, the hurricane became the costliest tropical cyclone to strike Mexico on record. With 48 lives lost and over 500,000 people without power after the storm’s carnage, Concepcion, like so many hurricane survivors in Mexico, suddenly found herself unemployed and in need of food. Faced with the stark transition from preparing meals every day to seeking sustenance for herself, Concepcion felt lost.

Helping Storm Survivors

That is until friends like YOU showed up in the lives of hurricane survivors in Mexico like Concepcion. Upon hearing that Operation Blessing was providing free food daily to those affected by the hurricane, Concepcion jumped at the opportunity to secure a good meal. Little did Concepcion know that she would not only get her need for food met, but also discover a whole new opportunity.

Upon hearing of Concepcion’s skill set, our team quickly hired her for a pivotal role in the disaster relief efforts. Concepcion began serving hundreds of meals to storm victims and relief workers each day, all while forging friendships. Thanks to your support, Concepcion was not only able to gain a work opportunity but also create a new community around her. But this was not the end of the story.

Hurricane Recovery in Mexico

As the city of Acapulco gradually began getting back on its feet, it was time for Operation Blessing to say goodbye to the community kitchen. It was also time to say goodbye to Concepcion, our newfound friend. However, rather than simply parting ways and leaving her to scrape together a living, they came up with a plan. With your aid, we provided Concepcion with some amazing gifts—a water tank, refrigerator, coffeemaker, microwave, blender, and other supplies to kickstart her own entrepreneurial venture selling smoothies and sandwiches from home!

Expressing her gratitude, Concepcion said, “I’ll miss the team dearly but will think of you every day while starting my own business. Thank you, Operation Blessing!” Your gift to Concepcion not only encouraged her to embark on her business but also gave the Acapulco community lasting support during the challenges that came with a devastating hurricane.

Thank you so much for making it possible for us to stay in places like Acapulco, Asheville, and Los Angeles long after disasters have passed to help more hardworking people like Concepcion begin to rebuild.