Gatesville couple back home after helping with search and rescue efforts in North Carolina

GATESVILLE, Texas (KWTX) - The founder of Curves International, which was at one time the largest fitness franchise in the world, and his wife have returned to Central Texas after spending the last week rescuing victims and delivering aid to hurricane-ravaged North Carolina.

Gary and Diane Heavin, of Gatesville, landed their helicopter back at their home in rural Gatesville Sunday evening after an eight-hour flight home with Gary at the controls.

They had to stop every two hours to refuel on the 1,200-mile flight back to Texas.

The Heavins used their helicopter, which was one of the largest ones part of rescue missions, to save lives and deliver supplies in Western North Carolina.

“We saw a lot of terrible things and we saw some wonderful things,” Gary told KWTX Monday morning.

Gary arrived in North Carolina first on October 2 and Diane joined him the next day.

On the first day, Gary rescued numerous people in his helicopter ranging from a woman with stage four breast cancer, to a woman with a heart condition and a man with pancreatic cancer.

The two say it was citizen pilots and everyday Americans that saved countless lives and provided resources like water, generators, tents, medication, and basic supplies before any organized government effort was underway.

“We even delivered Starlinks that were donated by Elon Musk,” Diane added.

“The primary mission was to take supplies into the remote mountain areas and bring anyone out that had emergency needs or medical concerns via helicopter,” Diane said. “These areas were unreachable by vehicle at first, so this was a great resource and mode of transport as well as identifying areas in distress.”

In the beginning days of rescue, the plan was anything but sophisticated.

Pilots would meet for briefings and then take off to the unknown.

The Heavins shared with KWTX hand-written notes on notecards they were given with people’s names who needed help along with coordinates as to where they may be, which weren’t always accurate.

The operation was called “Operation Air Drop” and was based out of the Hickory, N.C, airport.

“We saw some wonderful things and that was the people themselves that were stepping up with vehicles and helicopters and airplanes. They were the force for good in this disaster,” Gary said. “Unfortunately, the government was a little more than a nuisance for what we were trying to get done out there.”

Diane and Gary’s helicopter, a Bell 505, seats 5 passengers plus the pilot and can carry 650 pounds of supplies.

“On average we did about four, sometimes five flights a day. Most flight times from start to finish were about 1 1/2 to 2 hours,” Diane said.

The missions were heartbreaking, at times.

They encountered countless people who lost everything, including their homes, businesses, and people they loved.

At one point, the Heavins tried to locate a couple and their two young kids only to find out all had been washed away by the raging waters.

The devastation they saw is something they’ll never forget, but neither is the spirit they witnessed of Americans.

“The good ol’ boys, they’re bringing their buggies and their side-by-sides and their chainsaws and they’re the ones who are actually getting up those mountain roads and clearing things out,” Gary said. “So, they’re kind of the heroes now and it’s a great assistance that we’re happy to support.”

Gary and Diane want to thank the Gatesville and Oglesby area for donating more than $5,000 to support their efforts.

They suggest if you would like to donate, to give to Samaritan’s Purse Samaritan’s Purse International Disaster Relief — International Relief (samaritanspurse.org) which helps with hurricane relief and is based in Asheville.

Franklin Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham, is the president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse.

“They’re doing terrific work,” Gary said.

The Heavins say they could be just catching their breath.

The Central Texas couple is following the latest with Hurricane Milton which is approaching the Florida coast and say they plan to respond if help is needed.