It’s been seven years since Hurricane Florence ravaged North Carolina in 2018 and, sadly, many families are still struggling to recover. Ina Pickett and her son Edward survived the storm safely, but their home–the very home in which Ina had grown up–was devastated. The kitchen was ruined, the floors were collapsing, and the roof leaked so badly that much of the home was unlivable. With nowhere else to go, they spent six long years confined to just two small rooms. Each day was a painful reminder of all they had lost.
Her childhood home continued to deteriorate, and one day, Ina received the heartbreaking news from local authorities that the only way forward was to demolish the home she so cherished and start over. It took courage, but Ina let her home go, while holding onto the hope that somehow, she and her son would find help to rebuild.
Thanks to dedicated construction volunteers and the generosity of our donors, as well as our on-site partners, Ina’s hope has become a reality. She was brought to tears when she first saw the house plans and realized she was on her way to a fresh start. Today, Ina and Edward are so happy and grateful to be in their new home.
Families like Ina’s are finding hope again because of the compassion and generosity of International Relief Teams donors and volunteers. They not only empower us to provide critical aid immediately after disasters, but enable us to undertake long-term recovery programs that rebuild lives like Ina’s and her son’s.
If you want to volunteer and help build a new beginning for the next family, visit irteams.org/join.