South Georgia Times

Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse, recently expressed his gratitude for President Donald Trump's visit to Valdosta, Georgia, in the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastation. He highlighted how Trump's presence brought much-needed support to the community, with families and emergency officials deeply appreciating his commitment to witnessing the destruction firsthand and offering encouragement during this challenging time.

“President Donald Trump is right—this is an hour of need,” Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association wrote in a Sept. 30 social media post on X. “I want to thank him for coming to Valdosta, Georgia, today where so many lives have been torn apart by Hurricane Helene.”

“The hurting families and emergency officials who met with him couldn't have been more grateful that he took the time to come and see the damage for himself. The storm may have passed but the suffering hasn’t. Please join me in praying for all those whose lives have been forever changed across the Southeast, and pray for our Samaritan's Purse teams working in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee—and in my home state of North Carolina.”

To help raise funds for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene, Trump has helped initiate a GoFundMe campaign. According to the campaign, Trump visited impacted communities and was personally involved with the aid campaign.

The campaign, organized by Meredith ORourke, received more than $1.5 million in less than 24 hours and has currently raised more than $3.3 million in donations.

“The campaign is aimed at helping Americans affected by the storm, particularly across the Southeastern U.S. Donations will go to those most in need, and contributions of any amount are encouraged to provide relief for victims of the hurricane,” according to the campaign.

Hurricane Helene, which struck the Southeastern U.S. from September 24 to 27, had a significant impact on Georgia as it moved inland after making landfall in Florida. The storm brought heavy rain, strong winds, and widespread flooding across the state, leading to downed trees, power outages, and damage to homes and infrastructure. Coastal areas experienced storm surges, while inland regions faced flash flooding, particularly along rivers and low-lying areas. The state has since been involved in extensive recovery efforts to restore power and rebuild damaged communities.