Operation Blessing Helps Couple Find Warmth in Rebuilt Home

When hurricane Helene hit North Carolina, hundreds of thousands were displaced due to flooding and storm damage. Lee and Shirley groom were forced to move into an old mobile home left to lee 6 years ago by his mother.  

“Our home was located across the road from this place. And we stood on the porch and watched it wash away.  Our vehicles were sitting in the yard, up here, and they got washed away.” Lee recalled. 

Turns out, Lee had never been able to afford to winterize or fix his mom’s place—and that meant living there in winter has been a challenge. 

"We'll need the insulation put under the house and some flooring on the floor… Oh, it's real important. Ain’t got insulation, the water will freeze, and you're in trouble then.”

Thanks to you, Operation Blessing arrived to help the grooms prepare their home for winter...

"We pulled the insulation in and put it up here in between the joist of the home. And, once the insulation is up there, should keep the house nice and warm for the winter.” Gabe, an Operation Blessing team member noted. 

The team worked hard installing new fiberglass insulation which is both durable and water resistant. Then we installed new flooring inside their home.    

“Things like your floor and your installation are really important, especially whenever it comes to wintertime. The warmer the floors, the warmer their feet, and we got it all done.” Another interjected. 

Emotionally, Lee iterates “It’s a relief that the house will stay warmer. It's great, there's a lot of good people in this world, I didn't think there's that many left. But there are.”

And they said they’re grateful that Operation Blessing arrived right on time. 

“It gave me peace. Both of us. Made me stronger. I just thank everybody. The Good Lord sent everybody here, right to us.”