On July 7, 2025, as a result of Tropical Storm Chantal, a devastating flood tore through several North Carolina communities, leaving heartbreak and destruction in its path. Several Durham families who live in the River Forest and Old Farm communities that border the Eno River, were severely impacted. Among these families were our parents, Walter and Marilyn Exum residents of the Old Farm neighborhood for over 53 years. These loving parents, grand and great grandparents lost virtually everything in a matter of hours.

Their home was completely flooded, making it unsafe and uninhabitable. Most of their personal belongings, furniture, clothing, and cherished memories were destroyed. On top of this unimaginable loss, both of their vehicles were destroyed. While insurance covered a rental car for a few days, they are now paying these rental expenses out-of-pocket while car shopping for at least one reliable replacement.

This tragedy has left them with no home and no cars. They are currently staying with family and trying to piece together a path forward. Many have already donated and many continue to ask how they can help. As you may imagine, this is an overwhelming predicament that requires lots of coordination, learning and figuring things out. We are extremely grateful for the organizations who have stepped in to help in ways that have been positively miraculous and such a BLESSING to us! We continue to seek prayers, but also want to make the giving process much easier for folks who desire to help. We also want to make it easier for our parents to acknowledge and keep track of all who are providing support to them!

How You Can Help:

The donations submitted here will be used to help them with:

• Temporary housing and relocation expenses

• Replacement of essential items

• Storage rental for items that were salvageable

• Vehicle rental and transportation needs

• Recovery and support as they navigate insurance gaps and ongoing hardship

Every donation, no matter the amount, will go directly to the family to help them recover and begin again. Any funds that exceed their needs will be donated to others who may need help, and/or to the awesome organizations who have provided tremendous support, at NO COST to us. We appreciate any direct donations, but hope you will also consider giving regularly and directly to the following organizations:

• Baptists on Mission https://baptistsonmission.org/

• Triangle Mutual Aid https://www.trianglemutualaid.org/

• Day One Relief https://dayonerelief.org/

• Union Baptist Church https://myubc.org/

• Changing Hearts for Changing Lives http://changinghearts4changinglives.org/

Long after the news coverage has stopped, there are many families who continue to be displaced. If you are blessed enough to have “a little extra,” please consider sowing into these organizations who are REALLY making a difference!

Thank you for the love, generosity and blessings that have already been given to our family. We truly love and appreciate you! We hope this makes it easier for any others who desire to send support!

God Bless!