SURVIVING CHARLEY
Seniors Receive Comfort and a Warm Meal
By Ken Hulme
The 700 Club
CBN.com –
Five days after Hurricane Charley slammed into the small towns along Florida's
West Coast, CBN discovered how some of Punta Gorda's senior citizens fared.
That's when we met Ray.
"It was unbelievable. I just couldn't believe it would do that much damage,"
he said of Charley.
Ray lives in a mobile park that once hosted 489 homes, which have now been
reduced to rubble.
"There isn't one that hasn't been damaged," he said. "I lost my roof. It
just peeled off. And then, of course, the rain poured in."
As a result, Ray's home sustained water damage in the ceiling, carpets,
and sub-floor. No longer able to stay in his own home, Ray stayed with a friend
down the street. As for food, CBN learned he had only had one hot meal in
five days.
Needless to say, folks like Ray were being pushed to the limit.
"I'm not a very emotional guy," said Ray. "I was on the front lines
three years in the service. It's not that I'm not emotional inside. It hurts
inside sometimes. Right now it is bothering me a little."
Into the rubble stepped Operation Blessing and The Salvation Army, who teamed
up in an almost miraculous way to bring hope and comfort through hot meals
and cold drinks. Four days after the devastation, mobile canteens served about
26,000 meals across the affected areas. By that Friday, The Salvation Army's
"Big Kitchen" would generate an additional 10-20,000 meals a day.
And the best news of all was that Operation Blessing and the Big Kitchen
adopted Ray and his senior friends at the mobile park. They were tasked with
bringing warm meals every day until the crisis is over.
For that, Ray said, "I just thank them over and over. I say a prayer at night
and thank them there. We're going to make it. If the Lord's with me, I'm going
to make it."
The shock is over, but the nightmare of Hurricane Charley continues for people
like Ray and the seniors living in his community. Thanks to partners like
you, Operation Blessing was able to mobilize immediately, and get food and
supplies where they were needed. Your gift today will help Operation Blessing
to continue to bring food and comfort to those suffering the devastating aftermath
of Charley. And
Operation Blessing is once again standing by to help those who might be affected
by Hurricane Frances. Please
give generously today.
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