ELIOT, Maine — "I figured I would get a couple people up here to help me and it just turned into an explosion. Hundreds of people reaching out," Wayne Avery, owner of Dr. Heat & Mr. Cool and a veteran, said.
Winter is here, if not knocking on our front doors, so Avery went to work on a furnace for Tom, a Purple Heart veteran he used to work with in the past.
The furnace wasn’t the only issue, however, the roof was leaking along with other damages that needed attention.
What Avery thought would be a simple Facebook request to help set up some metal roofing turned into an outpouring of support.
"My phone was blowing up with the amount of people wanting to help to do yard work, make meals. Supply him with anything that he needs, bedding, gas cards, Home Depot cards, whatever they could do. It was just amazing how many people decided, 'I’m going to help,'" Avery said.
Sky High Roofing based in York looked at the roof and is planning to replace all of it.
Flo’s Hot Dogs in Cape Neddick is offering a donation bucket where people can drop off non-perishable items.
A group of people are gathering to clean up the property on Saturday, Nov. 11.
Individuals have reached out to fix the deck and flooring, among other services.
"It was just amazing to see that everybody in the community can come out, like, they care. Veterans need help everywhere," Avery said.
Avery originally was collecting donations through Venmo but has created a GoFundMe for anyone who wishes to donate. You can find that GoFundMe here.
"Veterans need help everywhere. There are tons of us out there. And a lot of people need a lot of help" Avery added.
If you’re interested in donating to resources for Maine veterans, here is a list of a few organizations, or you can also find a local resource group in your area.