N.C. Relief Organization Among First to Airlift Aid to Earthquake Survivors in China

Samaritan's Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Combine Resources to Send Some 90 Tons of Emergency Supplies to Sichuan Province: "We pray that this brings relief, comfort and hope to the tens of thousands of people in China who have lost so much," said Franklin Graham.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 23, 2008—Filled with 90 tons of relief supplies, a 747 cargo jet chartered as part of a joint relief effort by Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association flew out of Charlotte, N.C. today to bring urgently needed help to people in the Sichuan Province of central China, where a 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit last week, killing a reported 50,000 people and injuring some 250,000 others.

The cargo jet was loaded with emergency supplies including enough high-grade plastic sheeting to provide temporary shelter to nearly 5,000 people, along with six water filtration systems - each with the capability of producing some 10,000 gallons of clean water per day, medical supplies, hygiene kits and blankets.

"The people of China desperately need these relief supplies," said Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.  "We want the people there to know that we care about them."

"The earthquake has no mercy, but people around the world have shown tremendous compassion and generosity," said Minister Counselor Zhang Ping, who came to Charlotte from China's embassy in Washington D.C. to offer his country's gratitude for this relief effort.  "These supplies being sent by Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will be a light of hope for survivors.  Please accept our respect and appreciation for what you have done."

To donate to China relief efforts visit www.samaritanspurse.org or call (828) 262-1980.

Samaritan's Purse is an international Christian relief organization that provides immediate, no-red-tape response to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations - especially in locations where few others are working.  Samaritan's Purse currently has airlifted 45 tons of relief supplies from Bangkok, Thailand to Yangon, Myanmar to help cyclone victims.  Relief supplies to Myanmar include water purification systems, plastic for temporary shelter, blankets, clothing and mosquito netting.  Here in the United States Samaritan's Purse has also deployed its Disaster Relief Unit to Georgia to aid tornado victims.  Samaritan's Purse is working in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, natural disaster, poverty, famine and persecution.  

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is a nondenominational, non-profit organization that reaches millions of people each year through Billy Graham television broadcasts, Franklin Graham Festivals, Will Graham Celebrations, the "My Hope" World Television Project, the Billy Graham Library, The Billy Graham Training Center, Decision magazine, "Hour of Decision" and "Decision Minute" radio programs and the Internet.

Organization Among First to Airlift Aid to Earthquake Survivors in China

THIS FRIDAY at 10 a.m., Media Availability with Franklin Graham: Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Combine Resources to Fill 747 in Charlotte with Some 90 Tons of Emergency Supplies

BOONE, N.C., May 21, 2008—International Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse has chartered a Boeing 747 Cargo plane as part of a joint effort with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to send urgently-needed supplies to Chengdu, China where a 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit last week, killing at least 40,000 people and injuring some 250,000. 

WHAT:           

Airlift of Emergency Aid to China

WHEN:           

Friday, May 23 at 10:00 a.m. EDT

WHERE:        

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

4100 Yorkmont Road, Charlotte, N.C. Gate 44 

For directions click here or see below

• 9:30 a.m.      Loading of relief supplies onto Boeing 747 jumbo cargo jet
• 10:00 a.m.    Press conference with Franklin Graham
• 11:45 a.m.    Plane scheduled for departure

"Not only are we praying for the people of China and those suffering from the catastrophe but we want this airlift to give them hope and let them know they aren't alone in their time of need." said Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan's Purse.

The airlift will include 2,100 rolls of plastic sheeting for temporary shelter material and six water filtration systems-each with the capability of producing some 10,000 gallons of clean water per day, medical supplies, hygiene kits and blankets. 

Samaritan's Purse is an international Christian relief organization that provides immediate, no-red-tape response to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations-especially in locations where few others are working.  Samaritan's Purse currently has airlifted 45 tons of relief supplies from Bangkok, Thailand to Yangon, Myanmar to help cyclone victims.  Relief supplies to Myanmar include water purification systems, plastic for temporary shelter, blankets, clothing and mosquito netting. Here in the United States Samaritan's Purse has also deployed its Disaster Relief Unit to Georgia to aid tornado victims. Samaritan's Purse is working in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is a nondenominational, non-profit organization that reaches millions of people each year through Billy Graham television broadcasts, Franklin Graham Festivals, Will Graham Celebrations, the "My Hope" World Television Project, The Billy Graham Library, The Billy Graham Training Center, Decision magazine, "Hour of Decision" and "Decision Minute" radio programs, and the Internet.

To donate to China relief efforts visit www.samaritanspurse.org or call (828) 262-1980.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport
South Cargo Ramp off Yorkmont Road
5501 Josh Birmingham Parkway
Charlotte, N.C. 28208
(704) 359-4000

Coming from I-77

• Travel on I-77 to Exit 6A (go West to Billy Graham Parkway)
• Turn Left on West Blvd. 
• Media Parking: turn Right on Yorkmont and take third Right into parking lot

Coming from I-85

• Travel on I-85 to Exit 33 (go East to Billy Graham Parkway)
• Go South on Billy Graham Parkway 
• Turn Right on West Blvd. 
• Media Parking: turn Right on Yorkmont and take third Right into parking lot

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