Chase Simpson (third row, far left, wearing a blue shirt) with his classmates and friends.
Chase Simpson, an eighth grader at Climax Springs R-IV in Missouri, enrolled in the exploratory junior high agriculture class. He also received a life-changing opportunity to volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse and help clean up communities in North Carolina that were devastated by Hurricane Helene.
The opportunity arose when Simpson’s dad was approached and asked to assist with cleaning up after Hurricane Helene. These towns had experienced significant damage, with homes destroyed, roads blocked and communities left struggling to recover.
After discussing it with his family, Simpson decided to spend a week volunteering with recovery efforts. This was a first for him, as he had never volunteered in this capacity before, nor had he worked with an organization like Samaritan’s Purse.
Upon arriving in North Carolina, Simpson quickly found himself performing a variety of tasks such as moving dirt and mud, clearing away fallen trees and helping remove overturned automobiles from yards. The work was physically demanding, but he was up for the challenge.
What stood out to Simpson, however, wasn’t the hard work — it was the people. Many families had lost everything, including their homes, belongings and cherished memories. Yet, despite their hardship, they showed incredible strength. Simpson says he was amazed at how positive and grateful the people were. Even after losing so much, their spirits remained unbreakable. In the face of grief and devastation, these families found strength in each other and their shared determination to rebuild.
This experience opened Simpson’s eyes to the true power of community. He saw firsthand how people can come together to help one another in the face of disaster. It was a humbling and eye-opening opportunity that left a lasting impression on him.
Simpson’s efforts highlight the importance of community service and remind us that even in the toughest times, people can find strength and hope in each other.
