About Us
Our Story
Founded in North Carolina, following destruction by Hurricane Helene leaving the Mountain region of the state devastated, Operation Providing Hope is a volunteer-led non-profit organization comprised of dedicated first responders who share a common mission: to provide timely rescue and medical care during disasters. From hurricanes to floods, wildfires to other emergencies, we strive to be on the frontlines when communities need us most, ensuring that lives are saved and hope is restored in the face of adversity.
Our team includes experienced firefighters, paramedics, medical professionals, and disaster response experts who bring critical skills to the communities we serve. Each member of Operation Providing Hope is committed to stepping into challenging and often dangerous situations to deliver emergency relief. Whether it’s pulling individuals to safety, providing essential medical treatment, or supporting affected families, we aim to be a beacon of hope in even the most devastating circumstances.
Natural disasters and emergencies strike unpredictably, leaving many people vulnerable and in desperate need of assistance. At Operation Providing Hope, we believe that swift, organized, and compassionate action can make the difference between life and death. This is why our work extends beyond immediate rescue efforts. We also focus on building resilience by preparing our team and the communities we serve for the unexpected.
Our rescue operations are designed to locate, assist, and save individuals in danger during emergencies. This includes searching for survivors, extracting them from perilous situations, and coordinating with other emergency services to ensure their safety. Alongside this, our medical care efforts address urgent health needs during disasters, providing life-saving treatment and stabilizing patients before they can access further care.
As a volunteer-driven organization, we rely on the passion and dedication of our team and the generosity of those who support us. Every donation we receive goes directly toward funding rescue missions, acquiring life-saving medical supplies, and maintaining the equipment needed to ensure our team is ready to respond at a moment’s notice.
Operation Providing Hope isn’t just about responding to disasters—it’s about building a community of people who care deeply about making a difference. Together, with our volunteers and supporters, we work to bring relief, restore hope, and remind those affected by disasters that they are not alone. When disaster strikes, Operation Providing Hope is here to answer the call.
Meet the Team
Wesley Kleitches
Wesley has dedicated his life to public service and helping others, starting from his time at Gospel Light Christian School. At 16, he joined the local fire department, where his journey in emergency services began. After high school, Wesley enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he trained as an Aircraft Rescue Firefighter, Firefighter I/II, HazMat Technician, and EMT-B. He served for five years, receiving numerous awards and honors before being honorably discharged.
Upon returning home, Wesley sought to continue his service in a different role, enrolling in a Police Academy near his hometown. After graduating as class leader of the PBIC, he served as a Police Officer for 10 years. During this time, Wesley founded Operation Providing Hope after witnessing the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in Western NC. He recognized the urgent need for trained professionals to assist in the immediate aftermath of such disasters, supplementing the overwhelmed efforts of local and state governments.
Today, Wesley serves as the President and CEO of Operation Providing Hope, leading the organization to provide crucial support and resources during times of crisis. His lifelong commitment to helping others remains at the heart of his mission, continuing to make a difference in the lives of those facing hardship.
Sarah Bishop
Sarah, born and raised in Liberty, NC, is passionate and committed to caring for others when they need help. At age 16, she joined her local fire department as a junior firefighter alongside her older brother. Shortly after, she pursued EMT school and began working for the local county EMS agency.
She heightened her education by obtaining her bachelor's at UNC- Greensboro, followed by a master of physiology degree at NC State University while serving her community as an Advanced EMT. She is currently in school to become a physician assistant at UNC Chapel Hill, with the hope of pursuing a doctorate following the completion of her current program.
Outside of work, school, and non-profit work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her younger sister, Ashlynn, and her Yorkie, Tucker. Sarah volunteered with many organizations as she was growing up, including Operation Christmas Child, Smiling While Sending Hope, Healing Transitions, Miracle League, and the local fire departments.
Her passion for serving as a member of this organization continues her heart-warming goal to help her community and those who live in it.
Lindsay Spainhour
Lindsay grew up in King, NC, where she married her best friend, Jordan, 11 years ago and now has three sweet children.
She became a registered nurse and worked in the intensive care unit (ICU) for 14 years before furthering her education. She became a Family Nurse Practioner 3 years ago and has enjoyed her position helping patients.
Outside of work, she enjoys working on her farm and horse rescue consisting of horses, ducks, goats, llamas, and many other animals. She also enjoys spending time with her family.
Lindsay will use her education, skills, and passion to help others to heal and serve families impacted by disaster. Her heart of gold, drives her to make the biggest impact on the greatest number of individuals possible.
Trent Howerton
Born in Roanoke Rapids, NC., Trent was raised outside the small town of Emporia, VA. As a young boy Trent learned to hunt and fish from his dad and enjoyed playing baseball and football throughout his youth. In high school, Trent found an interest in JROTC and participated in extracurricular related events. This interest culminated in his joining the Marine Corps commencing recruit training just two weeks after graduating from high school at age 18.
During his 20 years in the Marine Corps, Trent was stationed all throughout the U.S. and circled the globe a few times completing combat deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan, accounting for more than 2 years of his career.
As a Logistician, Trent began his career operating heavy lift trucks and wreckers, providing heavy lift support for various commands both stateside and abroad. He later spent five years as a formal schools Instructor and Senior Instructor, playing a vital role in training new Marines in their occupation specialty. As an Instructor he provided hundreds of hours of platform instruction, having a hand in developing and preparing thousands of Marines for assignment to their first duty station and future deployment operations. Trent wrapped up the last 6 years of his career as a trusted advisor to several Commanders, providing insight and guidance for the development of future policy and procedures that would shape his community and the commands he served under.
The highlight of his career was being tapped to assist in the divestment of the HMMWV (Humvee) from fleet Marine Forces globally, and assist with the implementation of It’s replacement, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle or JLTV.
Trent retired from the Marine Corps in August of 2021 after 20 years of honorable service. Since that time he has held several jobs finally finding his place in the insurance industry. He is currently working as an independent insurance agent withSafenet Insurance Group out of Advance, NC., where hespecializes business insurance and worker’s compensation.
Trent is Married to his wife and best friend Jennifer of 20 years and has two amazingly smart and talented daughters Abagail(21) and Kiersten (18), and their 2 Doberman pups Blu and Bella.
Scott Vincent
Scott is a local to Carolina Beach, NC, and is an avid member of the coastal community who enjoys all the recreations that the coastal water provides
A former member of 3 fire departments and EMS ocean rescue
Including EMT medical training along with rescue and Swiftwater rescue training
Operation providing Hope is truly a family consisting of amazing individuals with extensive knowledge and training whose sole purpose is to provide any and all first responding assistance to a community and its people
Who are affected by tragic events. We strive to give people Hope in a time when hope is desperately needed and honored to be a part of this family and I am proud of the members of this family and their passion to help others in a time of need.
Autumn Lance
Autumn is a proud native of Western North Carolina, where she grew up in the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Witnessing the devastation to her hometown and the land she loves, Autumn felt a deep calling to make a difference. Driven by a strong sense of duty to help, she knew she had to use her gifts and strengths to serve wherever the need was greatest.
Currently, Autumn serves as an emergency room nurse at a Level 1 trauma center in Greenville, SC. She has always felt called to assist those in vulnerable situations, working to help the broken, sick, and hurting on their healing journey. Her goal is to bring hope and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around her. This sense of purpose is what led her to quickly bond with the team at Operation Providing Hope, where she found a shared passion and a family-like connection.
Outside of her career, Autumn loves exploring the outdoors, traveling, and finding the best mexican food spots. A fun fact: she has been riding horses since she was 3 years old and began competing nationally at age 12. Autumn earned an equestrian scholarship to Berry College, where her love for the sport only grew stronger. This experience taught her a strong work ethic and honed her competitive spirit, pushing her toward her high-achieving goals.
Autumn is deeply passionate about helping communities in need, particularly during times of disaster, and she is dedicated to supporting the growth of Operation Providing Hope.
Matthew Conlin
Matt has been an integral part of Operation Providing Hope since the creation of the organization. Matt was directly impacted by Hurricane Helene as a resident in Western NC in October 2024. With a strong foundation in emergency and wilderness medical care, he excels in his role, focusing on training other organization members, providing medical care to those in need, and directional mission planning.
Outside of the organization, he enjoys working as a paramedic, rock climbing, and teaching others how to mountaineer, which further fuels his passion for our cause. He is dedicated to creating meaningful change and believes in the impact of community-driven efforts.
Shawn Warren
Shawn Warren is originally from Wichita Kansas. He spent most of my time outside of work with his family camping, hiking, or something outside. Aside from that I garden and grow gourmet and medicinal mushrooms for my family and friends. I'm passionate about the work with OPH because disaster relief is something I've been drawn to since I was a child. Living in plains of Kansas I got to see the best of people when they pulled together. My background is in nursing, cardiothoracic surgical, VIR, and ED. I enjoy helping others so it pairs well with the work OPH does.