The group of retired firefighters and police officers brought 25K pounds of supplies on the final trip.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Like a life-saving grocery store on wheels, a group of retired Greensboro firefighters and police officers have made a habit of transporting much-needed supplies to some of the places hit hardest by Hurricane Helene.

“I felt like God wanted us to continue helping our fellow North Carolinians,” said Tim Gibbs, a retired Greensboro firefighter.

And boy, have they. Since Helene hit nine months ago, the group has made dozens of trips out west. It’s been an emotional and important mission, especially in the cold winter months.

“There were people who passed away in their tents and things that happened, so we were trying to give them what they needed to help them stay alive,” Gibbs said.

This week was their 26th and final trip. Along with a handful of others, Gibbs has led much of the effort.

“We’re called to serve others, and when you spend a lifetime in fire and police and others serving other people, it’s a passion, it’s not a job to us,” Gibbs said.

That passion has grown over the past nine months. “This trip alone was almost 25,000 pounds of supplies.”

Trip #26 was their biggest yet, with donation stops in six communities. Appalachian Disaster Coalition documented the trip.

“To have 18 people go on this one, which is the most we’ve ever had,” Gibbs said. “We had the most equipment and trailers, and trucks we’ve ever had. We were excited, and we had a lot of motivated people who were just thankful to be able to be a part of it.”

Safe to say, the people receiving the donations are even more thankful.

“They are the most humble and most resilient and strong people I’ve personally ever been exposed to on a greater scale,” Gibbs said.

Leaving after each trip has been a challenge, knowing they’re coming home to normal life.

“It’s hard to leave and come back to this world,” Gibbs admitted. “I almost feel guilty. There’s almost a sense of guilt as if you’re abandoning them every single time, and this is the way it was every trip, 26 times.”

Making this final trek has been the most difficult for Gibbs and his team. “It’s been hard to let go. I’ve struggled. I have certainly struggled with it.”

They’ve made many friendships along the way, so saying goodbye has been tough.

“They hold hands with you,” Gibbs recalled, getting emotional as he thought back to those moments. “They just hug you and they tell you how much they love you.”

They’re still processing the emotions that have come along with their mission. Gibbs knows it’s been worth it.

“They’re so thankful, and you know that you’ve done what you could do up to this point, so I’m at peace with that,” Gibbs said.