Flood Victims, Volunteers Gather in Celebration of Hope, Thanksgiving

DURHAM — Memories of the flooding caused by Hurricane Floyd nearly four months ago still linger, and the heartbreak remains.

But over 400 flood victims and volunteers filled the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Durham in a celebration of thanksgiving and hope.

Saturday's gathering was a way for flood victims from Pinetops to pay tribute to the volunteers in song.

"I thank everybody for their help, that help us out," said Terentius Vick. "I thank them for their donations, clothes, water -- I thank everybody for that."

Nearly 500 parishioners at Immaculate Conception took part in the relief efforts, helping more than 700 flood victims, including Martha Murchison of Greenville.

"I was looking forward to coming because they had helped me and I was so excited to come and meet some of the people who had done this," Murchison said.

"It's very gratifying to know that you live in a state or community where there are hundreds of people that volunteer their time to go out and help people they don't even know," said parishoner Marie Felder.