Supplies in the Sky: Volunteer group from Statesville flies to Western North Carolina to help

STATESVILLE, N.C. — “We have a great aviation community equipped with the tools to help a lot of people,” says Matt Aschbrenner.

And that’s exactly what Aschbrenner and volunteers from across the Charlotte area are doing at Statesville Regional Airport – helping people.

Since the weekend, hundreds of volunteers and thousands of pounds of food, water and supplies have been arriving from Statesville Regional Airport, using cars, trucks and planes to reach places in western North Carolina that need help most.

Aschbrenner said that on Sunday alone, 43 flights of his Hurricane Helene Airlift Relief team took off.

“We had as many cars and trucks going to the mountains,” Aschbrenner beams. “We ended up delivering – or taking out – eight and a half tons of donated materials.”

It’s something personal for him. The overwhelming support for his son, who died in 2015 of a rare cancer, inspired him to give back whenever he had the opportunity.

“None of these people knew my child, but they all donated and supported his cause,” Aschbrenner says. “Thanks to the community in our area reaching out to someone they didn’t even know – now I hope they pay me back.”

“That’s what we’re doing,” said Jim Plaster, a pilot providing relief in the Asheville area on Monday. “It’s what everyone should be doing these days – helping each other.”

This sentiment is shared by many Iredell County residents.

“Seeing people just coming together unselfishly, having fun,” says David Maynard. Maynard came from Mooresville to help load supplies onto the planes.

“We laugh. We work hard and just try to support our local people,” adds Maynard.

“We, humble people, have not forgotten about you, highlanders, and we will continue to provide various things,” says Aschbrenner.

“We know where Christmas trees come from, that’s why we are here to take care of you. We’re not done yet.

Aschbrenner later told WCCB Charlotte that 101 flights were made from Statesville Regional Airport on Monday, delivering more than 53,000 pounds of aid to places in western North Carolina hardest hit by Hurricane Helene.

More information about Hurricane Helene relief can be found HERE.