CANAL WINCHESTER, Ohio — Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina three months ago, but as recovery efforts continue, families are still reeling from the storm.
Meanwhile here in Ohio, one family's bringing them hope from several states away.
What You Need To Know
- The Martin family a nonprofit called "Way to Battle," which delivers stuffed animals to kids all over the world dealing with tough times
- The family started the nonprofit while their son was battling cancer
- Many of their stuffed pups are even helping the hurricane victims in North Carolina
The Martin family has a lot of stuffed animals they call "Battle Pups," They collect them as part of their nonprofit "Way to Battle" to deliver them to kids all over the world who are dealing with tough times.
"We wanted to be able to give some kind of tangible gift and some kind of tangible love and encouragement to people,” said Chris Martin. “And our kids love dogs, and they love stuffed animals. So, it just made a lot of sense for them to be to combine the two and make that the real mission."
Chris and his family started the nonprofit while their son Brady was battling cancer. He was only 9.
"It really started as more of a way to do something positive and be a bit of a distraction,” said Chris. “And then it was just something that God really planted a seed in our heart, that this was something that we could and should do full time. And so, we felt like we needed to, and we're supposed to. And so, we started doing it more and more."
Brady has since beaten the disease – now spending a lot of his time sending these pups off to people facing hardship like he was.
"I love giving out stuff, and I think they're adorable. I love to be able to help people,” said Brady.
And many of these pups are even helping the hurricane victims in North Carolina.
"Between Florida and western North Carolina with the hurricane and the flooding, we've given close to 20,000," Chris said.
The family hopes the "Battle Pup" remind them they’re not alone.