Pastor turns tragedy into triumph after losing family members during Helene

SALISBURY, N.C. (WBTV/Gray News) - A pastor in North Carolina who lost family members to Hurricane Helene is sharing how he has turned his tragedy into triumph.

Pastor Don Vess of Destiny Church in Salisbury shared photos of the aftermath of Helene from the street where his sister, Evelyn, and brother-in-law, Dan Wright, lived.

“Floodwaters came down their road and took out all of the houses down their road,” he said.

Amid his pain, Vess said he and his nephew started working together and getting their church community involved in lending a helping hand by collecting items like medical supplies, food and toiletries. The items will be taken to people in need in the Burnsville, Old Fort and Black Mountain areas of North Carolina.

Vess said his nephew’s church, Living Water Tabernacle, is collecting monetary donations to help rebuild the areas.

“Donations just started pouring in and they have come from Kentucky, West Virginia. That has helped me to cope with the situation,” he said. “You know, staying busy, receiving donations. We’ve had literally thousands of dollars to come in to help people in that area.”

Supply donations can be dropped off at Destiny City Church located at 2324 S. Main St, Salisbury, North Carolina.

Money donations can be made towards rebuilding by selecting the “TS HELENE RELIEF FUND” option on Living Water Tabernacle’s website.

According to the Associated Press, the death toll of Hurricane Helene reached 227 people as of Sunday.

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