Heroes Center in High Point helps veterans impacted by Helene
Nov 08, 2024
HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) — One High Point group is trying to lend a hand in the recovery efforts in the western part of our state, specifically for the men and women who gave so much to their country.
The effort started roughly three weeks ago when the executive director of The Heroes Center got a call from someone at the North Wilkesboro Speedway saying a group from Ohio donated around 60 campers, and they didn't know how to get them to people in need.
The executive director called The Heroes Center board member Tyler Dixon. He is a fellow veteran with a TikTok following on his account Dixon Teams and is dedicated to his landscaping and hardscaping business.
"I don't ever post anything outside of that community, so this was the first time I had ever done anything outside of that realm, and that outreach was just overwhelming," Dixon said.
The video took off within hours of him posting it, and the ask was simple: tell advocates with The Heroes Center where the veterans are that need help in western North Carolina, and they'll find a way to get a camper to them.
Immediately, hundreds of people emailed him offering to drive campers to veterans in need in the mountains.
"The first seven days of it, my email would not stop," Dixon said.
Slowly, they started connecting to people who needed campers and the people who could provide them.
"A guy reached out to me from Maryland and said, 'Hey, I want to help. I want to buy a camper for a veteran.' He said, 'I'll go buy one on Facebook. Would you be willing to help us find a place for it to go?'" Dixon said.
That man drove it down the same weekend.
The more than 16,000 views and 600 comments on the video also got the attention of the Cajun Navy, who joined the effort.
"I know a lot of [veterans] are on a fixed income. They're getting support from the VA, and that money can only go so far. That money isn't going to build their house this month or next month or in six months, so they need help," Dixon said.
The Heroes Center has connected with even more groups like the Asheville VA, Red Cross and other volunteers to get 50 campers to veterans and first responders so far, but Dixon tells FOX8 they could use even more.
"The last thing they need is their country forgetting about them during their time of devastation, so we're here to let them know we're not going to forget about you, and we're going to be here for you," Dixon said.
If you're interested in donating or you know a veteran in need, reach out to The Heroes Center at (336) 884-4376 or email them at [email protected]