Press Release Middle Tennessee Response 3-3-20

Three Disaster Relief Units on the Way to Tornado-Ravaged Tennessee BOONE, N.C., March 3, 2020 Samaritan's Purse Brings Immediate Relief to Tennessee Families

Less than 12 hours after deadly tornadoes ripped through Nashville and its surrounding communities, Samaritan's Purse disaster response specialists were on the way to provide immediate relief to affected Tennessee families. The international Christian relief organization deployed three Disaster Relief Units, tractor-trailers stocked with critical relief supplies, to Mt. Juliet and Cookeville—three of the hardest-hit towns. Samaritan’s Purse is working alongside local government officials and church partners to determine the areas of greatest need.

“When I woke up this morning, I was saddened to read about the tornadoes in Tennessee,” said Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan's Purse. “Please pray that there will be a quick recovery and that God will wrap His arms around those who have lost loved ones and are hurting.”

The N.C.-based organization is mobilizing volunteers from across the country to help families remove downed trees, clear debris, tarp roofs and salvage personal belongings.

Media Opportunities Interview Keeth Willingham, program manager of U.S. Disaster Relief for Samaritan’s Purse, on the ground in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Interview Shannon Daley, program manager of U.S. Disaster Relief for Samaritan's Purse, on the ground in Cookeville, Tennessee Interview Todd Taylor, manager of U.S. Disaster Relief for Samaritan's Purse Download high-res photos of Samaritan’s Purse U.S. Disaster Relief. Download broadcast-quality b-roll of Samaritan's Purse U.S. Disaster Relief. On-Site Media Contact

Alyssa Benson, 828.266.5029 abenson@samaritan.org

Chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's Rapid Response Team will work alongside Samaritan's Purse to provide emotional and spiritual encouragement to families affected by this flooding.

For more information about how to help or volunteer with Samaritan's Purse, go to spvolunteernetwork.org.

Based in Boone, North Carolina, Samaritan's Purse responds to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations—especially in locations where few others are working. Led by President and CEO Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse works in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution. For more information, visit SamaritansPurse.org.