Nearly one year ago, Hurricane Helene unleashed chaos throughout Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia – destroying homes, displacing families, and forever altering lives. Entire neighborhoods were decimated in mere minutes.

In the days immediately following the storm, God’s Pit Crew answered the call to help. Trucks filled with Blessing Buckets, food, water, and cleaning supplies rolled into storm-battered communities. From across the country, donated supplies poured into God’s Pit Crew’s headquarters in Danville, Virginia – generous gifts from individuals, churches, and businesses who wanted to help. Those supplies were quickly loaded, transported, and placed directly into the hands of storm survivors at the moment they needed them most.

Volunteers walked up flooded streets delivering critical supplies and then gutting damaged homes – offering not only physical help, but also prayers and encouragement to all those who felt like hope was gone.

And the work continued long after the headlines of the storm faded. Over the past 12 months, God’s Pit Crew has faithfully remained in the impacted areas, serving survivors day after day, month after month.

The Year in Numbers:

• 200,000+ volunteer hours served across five states.
• More than $3 million of donated resources delivered – Blessing Buckets, food, water, generators, fuel, pet food, cleaning supplies, hygiene items, housing goods, and more.
• In 2024, multiple Christmas celebrations and toy distributions held in Western North Carolina to bring joy to children whose families were still recovering.
• 30+ brand-new, fully furnished homes provided to families and individuals who lost everything.

Stories of Hope Restored

Zach & Amber Cicillian – Leicester, NC

Firefighter Zach Cicillian, and his wife Amber had been living in borrowed spaces with their three sons after their home was destroyed by Helene’s flooding. In August, they walked into a brand-new, fully furnished home built and provided by God’s Pit Crew at no cost to the family. “It’s just amazing,” Zach said. “We’re overwhelmed with gratitude. For my kids to have a place to grow up, to be able to provide them with stability again – it means the world to us.”

Cicillian Reveal Video & Photos: https://bit.ly/GPC-Cicillian

Brian & Melissa Greene – Marion, NC

When a landslide roared through their property, Brian and Melissa barely escaped with their lives through a window before their home slid down the mountain. Their property was gone, leaving them with nothing. But in April, God’s Pit Crew volunteers stepped up to provide the couple with a fully furnished new home. Turning around to see their new house for the first time, Brian and Melissa were rendered speechless. And then, through tears and excitement, Melissa exclaimed, “Oh it’s too pretty to live in! It’s like you crawled right in my head to see my dream home. It’s just so gorgeous!”

Greene Reveal Video & Photos: https://bit.ly/GPC-Greene

Janet Sams – Newport, TN

Janet watched in disbelief as the Little Pigeon River rose and destroyed her home. Everything she owned was either swept away by the rushing water or left in ruin from the mud. At the beginning of the new year, she stepped across the threshold of a new, fully furnished house built for her by God’s Pit Crew volunteers. Janet said, “God is good. I never dreamed this would be possible. This is my miracle.”

Sams Reveal Video & Photos: https://bit.ly/GPC-Sams

Martha Puhaumba, Jeffrey Silver, & Gary & Carolyn Allen – Burnsville, NC

In Western North Carolina, three neighbors shared the terror of watching floodwaters destroy their homes. Jeffrey Silver was even swept away by the raging current but miraculously survived by clinging to debris. Now, all three neighbors – Jeffrey, Martha, and Gary and Carolyn – once again live side by side in safe, fully furnished homes. “I know there are still good people left in this world,” said Gary. “I’m just glad to be home – and without you all, I wouldn’t be home.” Carolyn added, “Nobody has ever done anything like this for us before.”

Neighbors Reveal Video & Photos: https://bit.ly/GPC-Neighbors

A Year of Hope & Beyond

The devastation of Hurricane Helene will never be forgotten. But neither will the resilience of the families who survived it or the generosity of the volunteers and donors who made recovery possible. One year later, God’s Pit Crew reflects not only on the tangible help provided, but the hope restored in countless lives.

“I’ve been to well over 200 major disasters and we’ve seen a lot… and not to minimize anything else, but in the last 12 months, I feel like I’ve seen the most devastating disaster that I’ve ever witnessed from Hurricane Helene,” told God’s Pit Crew President and Founder, Randy Johnson.

And the mission to help is far from over. God’s Pit Crew continues to provide relief efforts, deliver resources, and build additional homes for survivors who are still waiting for stability. Plans are already in place to remain serving Hurricane Helene impacted areas for at least another year, ensuring even more families and individuals experience the healing power of hope, restoration, and the love of Christ.

All up-to-date relief efforts can be found at GodsPitCrew.org. Photo and video content of God’s Pit Crew’s ongoing Hurricane Helene assistance is linked below and cleared for media use.

File Video & Photos:
Content of God’s Pit Crew’s relief efforts following Hurricane Helene can be accessed at https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0v1pez7yjr823dnlvmhi3/AMvpDsiBRTDCSacoIF55EZY?rlkey=bhsmqs0uyxt6rkgltqdwtbc05&st=gzcimeur&dl=0

About God’s Pit Crew:

God’s Pit Crew is a non-profit, faith-based disaster response team of volunteers who wish to serve others. When disaster strikes, God’s Pit Crew is there to deliver hope, healing, and restoration to hurting people in times of disaster. God’s Pit Crew is headquartered in Danville, Virginia, and provides disaster response around the globe.