Tim’s Journey: Resilience Through Service and Community

CLYDE, NC — When Hurricane Helene tore through his hometown of Clyde, in rural western North Carolina, Air Force veteran Tim Gudridge was sheltering in place with his family and dogs. He had no power or internet for two weeks and became an expert on his grill.

Like everyone else in the region, Tim was shocked at the destruction in every direction in Haywood County. He knew he had plenty of work to do. “Our little neighborhood was ravaged by floodwaters for a week,” he explained, “but thanks to my 4WD, I was able to get through to deliver meals along roads that were barely passable.”

Over the next several weeks, then months, and continuing into the present, Tim dedicated his time to volunteering with AARP, seeking ways to rebuild both his community and his inner strength.

Tim’s passion is serving his fellow veterans and military families in the Appalachian region. The Air Force taught him coping skills to overcome most of the mental challenges that the storm’s devastation left behind, but other veterans had been severely impacted and hardly knew where to start. Tim quickly discovered that helping others could be a powerful form of self-care, and that shared experiences and mutual understanding pave the way for healing.

Now, nearly every day, Tim connects with people in need, relying on AARP’s supportive community to organize veteran events, coordinate support groups, share knowledge and resources, or simply lend an empathetic ear. His volunteer efforts create a ripple effect of hope and resilience. His story is a testament to the belief that volunteer service can mend both hearts and communities; sometimes the best way to heal ourselves is by uplifting others.

Tim’s unwavering commitment reminds us all that even in the aftermath of life’s toughest storms, we can rebuild—and that together, we’re stronger.

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