Last Fall, an unexpected turn of a hurricane’s predicated path produced epic devastation for hundreds of thousands of residents of Western North Carolina, a region that is typically spared such incredible wrath. As the nation watched in horror as Hurricane Helene slashed its way through the state, a small group of every day citizens jumped in to do whatever they could do to help. Many came from outside of North Carolina to rescue people and pets and provide basic essentials like water, food and medicine for those stranded.
These incredible selfless acts of kindness resonated deeply for television and film producers Monty Hobbs and Valerie Smaldone. Although they are seasoned producers, they had recently launched their own content creation company, Just Do GOOD Entertainment, dedicated to showcasing the good in people, despite the nastiness that is pervasive in our world today. Hobbs and Smaldone are no strangers to North Carolina. Their company is based in Wilmington, NC, Hobbs resides there, and Smaldone travels frequently to the Port City, where she and Hobbs shot the premiere season of one of their properties, Divine Renovation.
After Hurricane Helene subsided leaving people with no power, washed out roads and cut off from any communication, strangers came to their aid. Hearing about these civilians who, at considerable personal risk, flew private aircraft to the incapacitated regions, Hobbs and Smaldone felt the stories of these “air angels” had to be told. And thus a series with that name was born.
Much has already been done to prepare for an end of July film shoot in Wilmington.
The host of the series, Emmy Award winning journalist Gilbert Baez, has been chosen. The series will uncover stories of courage, resilience and relentlessness, as these pilots, using planes, helicopters and drones, dedicated themselves to swooping in and saving lives in a myriad of ways.
Three heroes will be the focus of the episodes. Zeb Hadley, from Wilmington, North Carolina, and Charlie Keebaugh and Jonathan Howard, who live in Southwestern Florida, are cast as the series stars.
Zeb, President and CEO of National Coatings, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, oversees the company’s operational procedures and policies as well as production efficiency. He is winner of the prestigious Triangle Business Journal’s CFO of the Year Award and CIO of the Year Award and recognized as a successful 40 Under 40 businessperson. Zeb is involved with numerous charitable initiatives. With 30 years of executive leadership experience Charlie Keebaugh, Chief Operating Officer of National Coatings, drives the company’s business expansion through innovation and strategic industry relationships. Charlie is a Special Operations veteran and vigorously supports non-profits, from veteran care to disaster relief to anti-human trafficking. Serial entrepreneur Jonathan Howard has an extensive background in real estate, including vacation rental businesses and a real estate brokerage business. Currently, he is a real estate consultant who is actively involved with disaster and humanitarian relief efforts.
Seeing these missions through the eyes of these three extraordinary businessmen will be heartwarming, heartbreaking and heart stopping, as they provided crucial assistance for people in the region, including rescuing an elderly woman moments before drowning, a baby who required medical attention, and a terrified dog who was in need of comfort and love. Zeb, Charlie and Jonathan will introduce viewers to the amazing people that they met along the way, all with the common goal of simply helping strangers.
The final episode of Air Angels: Flight Helene will include a lively event where the stars and featured cast will be honored, and include businesses that participated, dignitaries and surprise celebrity guests. This filmed celebration will also be a fundraising vehicle for an appropriate selected not-for-profit.
For updates on this series, go to www.justdogoodent.com
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