WARE, Mass. - Worcester County resident Justin Poirot started his week by collecting goods. He's making stops at several sites across Western Massachusetts before heading down to western North Carolina later this week to help with relief efforts for those impacted by Hurricane Helene.

"Clothing, food that I can bring down there, nonperishable. Maybe some tools," said Poirot. "I do have a weight restraint on the trailer so right now I am leaning more towards the warm weather gear and I'm getting a lot of that. It's been very successful."

On Tuesday, Poirot made his first stop at the Lowe's parking lot in Ware, filling his trailer with supplies with some help from friends and nearby volunteers.

Poirot was a police officer in Florida for 20 years and during that time was also a pilot helping with search and rescue operations.

He said he has family and friends who live in North Carolina but helping people in general is a cause close to his heart.

"I don't like to see people suffer is the bottom line and I have the ability to help," he said. "I went through a lot of challenges in my life and if it wasn't for ordinary people helping me, I wouldn't have succeeded to be where I am now."

Poirot said he will be making stops in Berkshire County Wednesday before driving his trailer down to North Carolina on Thursday.

His goal is to bring as many supplies as possible.

"To fill this trailer to the brim," he said. "And if we have extra donations to fill it again for hopefully another run in November that's the final goal."

Poirot said people can reach out to him on Facebook for more information on where he will be collecting donations this week.