President Trump wants the storm-ravaged residents of Chimney Rock, North Carolina, to know they’re not alone.
On Friday, local residents gathered in Chimney Rock — a town in North Carolina’s high country devastated by Hurricane Helene — to illuminate a Christmas tree, pray together, and sing Christmas carols.
Then on Saturday, determined to embrace the Christmas spirit despite their adversity, over 3,000 residents and visitors gathered in Lake Lure and received a special holiday greeting from President-elect Donald J. Trump.
Trump’s words of encouragement were delivered by Pastor Paula White, the president’s senior adviser for faith-based initiatives and opportunities during his first term. White spoke at a Christmas celebration event attended by over 3,000 people.
“I bring greetings,” White told the crowd. “I let President Trump know that I was going to be here today, and he saw the pictures from the first time I came.
“He said, ‘Please send my love to the people of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, to the people of the great state of North Carolina, and let them know that we’re here for them.’ … He sends his love along with first lady Melania.”
The Christmas festivities reflected an outpouring of assistance from a unique coalition of nonprofit relief organizations that includes CityServe, Spokes of Hope, World Vision, Paula White Ministries, 180 Disaster Relief, Every Life Counts, Love & Life Foundation, Good360, Medic Corps, and Delta. Corporate sponsors and contributors for the relief effort and the event included Earth Breeze, Jockey, Public Square, Shein, and 360 Cookware.
More than 100 North Carolina residents died and 880,000 homes lost electrical power in September after record rains and high winds swept through the state. The deluge triggered massive flooding that devastated a region heavily reliant on tourist-related income. Many locals lost not only their businesses but also their homes, and are now living in trailers or with relatives.
For many residents still struggling with sporadic cellular connectivity and internet access, Saturday’s Christmas celebration was their first opportunity to reunite and embrace friends and neighbors since the storm, finally knowing they were alive and well.
One highlight: Celebrity musician Jonathan Cain from the band Journey appeared and entertained the crowd with a concert, including an inspirational song he wrote just for this event titled, “Amen to the Rescuers.”
Chimney Rock Mayor Peter O’Leary, the owner of a general store on Main Street that, like so many others, was gutted by the flood, conveyed to Newsmax what the relief efforts have meant to the community.
“All of these events last night and today, even just seeing a volunteer shoveling the streets or hammering wood into buildings, it’s all given us strength. That’s what gives us the courage, ability, and just the spirit to move forward and rebuild."
“Those efforts individually may seem small,” the mayor said, “but each one of them is just so important to us.”
As White told the crowd, “We believe you’ll come out of this even stronger. In the Bible, I love Romans 8:28. It says what the enemy meant for bad, God will turn around for good for those that love him and are called to his purpose."
“God has you,” she assured the crowd. “And I believe you’re in the palm of his hand.”
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