On the night of Sunday, October 26th, our friend, Chad Wombles, was ambushed by an attacker he had never met while he stood outside of a gas station in his hometown. As Chad, who is a firefighter and first responder, chatted with a childhood friend in the cool October air, his attacker approached him from behind bearing a sword with the apparent intent to kill him for no reason whatsoever. That childhood friend Chad happened to be talking to was Jay Hood, a Wrightsville Police Officer, who saved Chad’s life by responding and probably also saved the lives of the two store clerks inside the store which is where the attacker was heading with sword in hand before diverting to assault Chad. Without a doubt, it would be impossible to ever thank Jay Hood enough for the conspicuous heroism he acted with that fateful night. Solely because of Jay, two boys still have a father and, most likely, two night-shift store clerks still have their lives.

Though Chad survived the unprecedented attack, his right hand was completely severed by his attacker along with the thumb of his left hand. While we hope and pray for the best, the injuries and their implications are substantial and hard to comprehend or predict. Even in the best case scenario, the financial burden of his treatment and recovery process will be tremendous.

To truly appreciate the deserving nature of this request, you must first understand more about Chad if you don’t already know him. From his youngest years, Chad was instilled with a drive to help others in distress. At least since he had a drivers license (and probably even before then) when disaster struck in all forms of human tragedy, it was Chad who always selflessly responded to help his fellow man simply because he made it his duty in life and he was proud to do so. Whether one was of high or low estate, if a house was on fire or if lives were at risk, Chad Wombles was on the scene as fast as he could get there giving of himself like few others do. His friends will tell you that Chad’s path in life has been one of service to his fellow man and that drive comes from a peerless heart and an uncommon sense of character for which he has never sought credit, recognition or thanks. He just loved doing it because he loves helping others.

But, now, it is Chad and his family who need us and we want to respond to Chad in the way in which he would have responded to us had we had the need. Because of his injuries, he now faces months of recovery and therapy in order to hopefully regain the full use of his hand which, against all odds, was reattached. During his indefinite recovery, he will be completely unable to work and his needs are substantial. We submit to you, whether you know him or are a complete stranger, that perhaps there has never been a better model of a great American citizen and servant of others than our friend, Chad. He also has two sons who are fine young men in their own right and who walk in his footsteps daily and a wife who loves him dearly and who has been devastated by the bolt from the blue that unfairly harmed her husband in such a devastating and undeserved manner. Their tragedy is now our cause and we implore you to make it your cause too. Join us as we help rebuild their lives and elevate the life and commitment of Chad Wombles who is the living embodiment of a true American hometown hero.