In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Jamee Booth and Jason Pugh of Mobile, Alabama, took it upon themselves to bring Christmas cheer to struggling families in North Carolina. What started as a local initiative quickly gained national attention, with donations pouring in from across the country.
The hurricane’s destruction left mountain communities in shambles. Entire homes were swept away, and the cleanup has been painfully slow. “These people are strong, but they need help,” said Pugh, explaining the urgency of their mission.
“VIDEO — ‘We Can All Be a Blessing’: Alabamians Work to Bring Christmas to North Carolina Storm Victims”
After volunteering to help in NC, two people from Mobile, AL came up with “Operation North Carolina Christmas Angels”, Jamee Booth and Jason Pugh, as a project to get as many…— Gray Wolf (@graywolf442) November 28, 2024
Booth and Pugh connected with Avery County schools to gather Christmas wish lists from children. The lists included simple requests like clothes and sports equipment. With help from donors nationwide, they delivered hundreds of gifts, ensuring every child’s wish was fulfilled.
“This effort would have been impossible without everyone who reached out to help,” Booth explained. She recalled receiving phone calls from people all over the U.S. offering support.
The mission carried special meaning for Booth, who lost her son in 2015. “This helps me heal, knowing we’re making Christmas special for families who’ve been through so much,” she said.
Driving through North Carolina, the pair witnessed the storm’s lasting effects. Debris lined the roads, and homes remained abandoned and waterlogged. Booth described the scene as heartbreaking but emphasized that the community’s resilience gave her hope.
