How It all Started
Operation Helo began with a simple but powerful idea: to bring help when it’s needed most. A small group of volunteers, driven by faith, compassion, and a shared commitment to serve, came together with a common purpose: to fill the gaps left by traditional disaster relief efforts. What started as a grassroots initiative in the mountains of Western North Carolina quickly turned into a nationwide movement, reaching beyond borders, communities, and what was thought impossible.
We're Just Getting Started
Every flight we take, every mission we undertake, is a testament to the power of faith, the strength of community, and the belief that hope is a force stronger than any storm.
We are proud of how far we’ve come, but we know the journey is far from over. Our story is still being written, and we invite you to be part of it. Together, we will continue to rise, to serve, and to deliver the hope that is needed to rebuild lives and restore communities in the aftermath of disaster.
In those early days, we saw families left without a lifeline, communities cut off from help, and lives hanging in the balance. We knew we couldn’t sit back and wait for someone else to act. We understood the urgency, the sheer magnitude of the need, and the power of a community coming together to support one another.
In just eight short weeks, thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, we successfully provided $3 million in relief. In addition, mobilized the largest private air fleet in the country, and delivered life-saving supplies to those who had nowhere else to turn. It was in these first missions that we saw the true heart of Operation Helo—a relentless drive to help, a refusal to let anyone be left behind, and a faith that the work we were doing was in line with a higher calling.
We’ve grown since then, expanding our reach and capabilities, but our mission remains steadfast: to deliver hope in times of crisis and to serve our neighbors, no matter how far or how difficult it may seem. Every day, we are reminded of why we do this work—the stories of the families we’ve helped, the smiles of children we’ve seen given Christmas gifts, the tear-filled thank-yous of those who thought they were forgotten.
The heart of our story is about more than just planes and supplies—it’s about the people we serve. We are a family. And when disaster strikes, we show up as one. We rise above the storm, we stand together, and we bring hope when it feels like the world has turned its back.
We’ve built a legacy of resilience and compassion, and with each new mission, we are reminded that our work is never done. The need is vast, and the challenges are great. But we have a dedicated team—of veterans, volunteers, first responders, and local heroes—all working together to ensure that no one is left behind.