JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Project Savior Outdoors is on a mission to equip residents in Western North Carolina with as many chainsaws, accessories, and premixed fuel as possible as they navigate the devastating damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
“Blaine reached out. He was like, ‘Hey, man, what can we do to get five chainsaws,’” said Dragich.
Mike Dragich, a licensed Florida alligator trapper, MMA artist, veteran, and founder of the nonprofit Project Savior Outdoors, told News4JAX they know some people in North Carolina who told them that chainsaws are badly needed.
“We have boots on the ground right now, relaying information that they are unable to provide the food and water that they have due to debris and routes that are unclear,” Dragich said. “The immediate need is this equipment to get the job done.”
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Dragich said they aim to donate as many chainsaws, chainsaw accessories, and pre-mixed fuel as possible.
They went to Coastal Equipment Friday hoping for some help and got even more than they expected.
“The Cassidy family is donating over $15,000 in chainsaws from their inventory alone, as well as over $20,000 that we’ve raised to buy additional resources for this mission. This all happened within four hours.”
Later in the day, the group went to Hagan Ace Hardware who donated boxes of equipment and fuel. You can see their donations in the picture below.
“By the grace of God and Him alone, we were able to already get 50 brand new steel chainsaws, almost 100 gallons of premixed fuel and accessories, including bars, blades and other accessories like that,” he said.
He said they are still searching for air support, and those who are wishing to help can message him here.
“To help the people up there and to serve and to show the hands and feet of Jesus,” Dragich said.
To donate, head to the Project Savior Outdoors website and put “Hurricane Relief” in the memo box.