We were all taught at an early age to never open the door to strangers.

That wise advice is applicable in the majority of cases, but not when it comes to warm, smiling faces of total strangers who arrive at your door when the chips are down.

Such is the case of Samaritan’s Purse volunteers who have fanned out over the rural landscape of Bertie County over the past eight months. These men and women come from all walks of life and all corners of the world….strangers themselves with a common purpose in mind – that of following the Biblical parable of the Good Samaritan.

For over 40 years, Samaritan’s Purse, based in the mountains of our state, has offered emergency relief programs in an effort to provide desperately needed assistance to victims of natural disaster, war, disease and famine.

These volunteers, adorned in their bright orange t-shirts, have graced our local area with their presence, some arriving to help just mere hours after a deadly tornado tore through the heart of Bertie County, leaving 12 dead, hundreds homeless and damages in the millions of dollars.

The outpouring of love for their fellow man was the basic principle used by this group as they tackle a mountainous task for rebuilding homes and lives of our local citizens. Many took leaves of absence from their jobs and their families to drive – or in some cases, fly – and come to the aid of individuals and families they have never seen before, and perhaps will never see again.

What they left in their wake was a belief among local citizens that, despite the grim news we hear all too often from media sources, there are good people left in this world.

We commend the work performed here locally by Samaritan’s Purse and other non-profit groups. Thanks to your efforts, our local citizens are able to pick up the pieces from that tragic day of April 16 and begin living life again.

We also encourage our local citizens to consider making a donation to Samaritan’s Purse. They can be contacted at 828-262-1980 or visit them online at www.samaritanspurse.org.

– The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald