• info@helpnowproject.org
  • (800) 948-8313
HelpNow Project
HelpNow Project
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About us

Founded in 2015 in Tampa Bay
More about the HelpNow Project

Our Story

Founded in 2015 in Tampa Bay, the HelpNow Foundation is a veteran-led organization built for a single purpose: to be the “tip of the spear” in times of crisis. We are comprised of dedicated teams that can forward-deploy into natural disaster zones, providing immediate, boots-on-the-ground support to communities across Florida. Our work is driven by a simple saying: “You don’t know me, but we have your back.” That motto is the heart of our work, whether we are preparing you for the worst or helping you recover from it.

Our Mission

The HelpNow Foundation’s mission is to provide rapid, on-the-ground disaster relief while empowering communities with life-saving preparedness training. We are committed to ensuring every community member is well-equipped and prepared to handle emergencies, contributing to the overall safety and well-being of all.

Our Approach

We believe that being prepared means being ready for anthing, That’s why our mission is two-fold: To educate and prepare communities before disasters, and to provide organized and effective response after disasters.
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How You Can Help

Before Disaster vs After Disaster

Before Disaster: We serve the community proactively by offering vital, no-cost training in disaster preparedness, active shooter response, and CPR/AED. This empowers everyday citizens to be a part of the solution when every second counts.

After Disaster: When a disaster hits, our veteran-led teams are on the front lines. To be effective in the toughest conditions, we have built a one-of-a-kind mobile command center that serves as our self-sufficient hub in the field. This unit is a game changer, fully outfitted with:

  • Solar power systems to keep operations running off-grid.
  • Starlink internet and other communication equipment.
  • A dedicated medical center for providing first aid and medical care.
  • On-site charging stations, food and water storage, and essential gear.

This mobile command center allows us to operate under the principles of the Incident Command System (ICS), ensuring our teams respond to emergencies with efficiency and effectiveness.

Community Members Assisted
10 +
Hours of Life-Saving Training Delivered
+
Major Disaster Deployments
+
Volunteer Hours Logged
+
Feedback

What they are saying about us

The HelpNow team is truly inspiring! Their commitment and heart are evident in every effort. Whether it’s assisting local police and fire departments or helping families recover from disasters. Their impact on making Tampa a safer, more resilient community is undeniable. I’m grateful to support their mission and encourage others to get involved with this remarkable organization!
Luis Bernal Resident, Fort Myers, FL
Mike and his team are excellent! Very helpful and during the most recent hurricane supplied radios that were programmed perfectly for information and communication. Recommend working with them!
Matt Vanvelsen Tampa, FL
The Help Now organization is first rate and really is focused on not only helping the community in the event of a disaster, but educating them on how to better prepare and execute a plan that will keep them and their families safe. As a member of East Lake CERT (The East Lake Community Emergency Response Team) I have personally interacted with Mike and could not be more impressed with the professionalism and credibility he and the Help Now Team bring to the table.
James Cerda St Petersburg FL
Saturdays CPR/AED class that was given by Claudia was a great Educational Experience , from proper training techniques and do’s and don’ts in CPR procedures and AED patch placement on adult and children (which children are definitely a different technique , as a volunteer/former firefighter I’m still learning every day and continuing my desire to serve as a Responder for the benefit of others, 43 years of firefighting, 4 1/2 years now since I moved to Tarpon Springs and as a CERT/SAR/HelpNow responder , I’ll be looking for you
Ron Lang Palm Harbor FL
Really difficult hurricane season and Mike and his team's radio equipment helped make it a bit easier to manage with constant real-time information about conditions, efforts, and damages.
Eric Bade Tampa, FL
The radio equipment provided by Help Now during hurricane Milton to be able to stay informed during the storm was invaluable. Thank you Help Now!
Dax Lonetto Tampa, FL
Ready to help you

Our Leadership

Mike Hills

Founder and Executive Director
Mike is pivotal in shaping Help Now’s vision, mission, and strategy, serving as its primary representative and liaison to key partners, donors, volunteers, and stakeholders. He oversees fundraising, budgeting, financial management, and ensures compliance with laws...

Melvin Sams III

Chief Financial Officer
Melvin oversees financial management and operations, developing strategies for stability and growth. He creates budgets, analyzes performance, ensures compliance, and collaborates on long-term financial plans with the executive team and board.

Adam Nebrich

Chief of Staff
Adam oversees daily operations, ensuring departmental efficiency and compliance with organization policies. He develops strategies, manages resources and budgets, and addresses issues to achieve organizational goals. Adam also leads program development to enhance service quality...

Jason Esterline

Director of Communications
Jason is an essential asset to the Tactical Operations Center, expertly managing emergency communications during critical situations and community events. His role as an Emergency Communication Officer involves coordinating auxiliary communication efforts...

Larry Dewberry

Director of Technology
Larry oversees all technology systems and initiatives at Help Now Project, ensuring they effectively support our mission. They manage IT infrastructure, lead digital innovation, and implement secure and efficient technology solutions...

Ronnie Lang

Director of Training
Ronnie develops and implements training programs to ensure Help Now Project team members are well-prepared for their roles. They design curriculum, organize training sessions, and oversee certification processes for field and administrative staff...

Alex Fallon

Director of Disaster Response Operations
Alex leads all disaster response efforts at Help Now Project, coordinating rapid deployment to affected areas. They manage team readiness, resource allocation, and strategic planning for effective response operations...

Patricia and David Vincent

Director of Logistics
Patricia and David coordinates all logistical operations to ensure the efficient delivery of Help Now Project’s services. They manage supply chains, inventory, and transportation to support program needs and emergency response efforts...

Ralph Lopez

Search and Rescue Coordinator
Ralph oversees all search and rescue operations to support Help Now Project’s emergency response efforts. They coordinate team deployment, manage on-site logistics, and ensure safety protocols are followed...

Brian O’Reilly

Safety Officer
Brian is responsible for maintaining a safe environment for all Help Now Project operations and personnel. They develop safety protocols, conduct regular inspections, and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations...

Walter Krupa

Team Leader
Walter supervises a group of volunteers or staff members to ensure efficient and effective support for Help Now Project’s initiatives. They coordinate daily activities, provide guidance...

Kenny Nu

Team Leader
Kenny supervises a group of volunteers or staff members to ensure efficient and effective support for Help Now Project’s initiatives. They coordinate daily activities, provide guidance, and ensure tasks are completed safely and according to plan...

Thomas Havlik

CERT Liason
Thomas coordinates between Help Now Project and Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) to ensure aligned emergency response efforts. They facilitate communication, organize joint training exercises, and share resources to enhance community preparedness...

James Dowler

AVERT Active Shooter Instructor
Jim trains individuals and teams on effective response strategies for active shooter situations, prioritizing safety and preparedness. They deliver instruction on situational awareness, emergency protocols, and lifesaving skills like bleeding control...

Ricardo Mong

Director of Marketing
The Director of Marketing leads efforts to promote Help Now Project’s mission and programs through strategic marketing initiatives. They develop and implement marketing campaigns, manage social media and digital content...

Claudia Hernandez

CPR, AED, BLS and First Aid Instructor
For over nine years, I’ve had the privilege of teaching CPR, training a diverse group from everyday community members and dedicated firefighters to experienced doctors and nurses...

Tony Stuart

AVERT Active Shooter, CPR, AED, BLS and First Aid Instructor
I am a former Indiana state police officer, and hold an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Vincennes University and a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Institute of Technology...

Steven Giarratano, CPA

Comptroller
A comptroller is a senior-level executive responsible for overseeing the financial operations and reporting within an organization, typically in government agencies, non-profits, or large corporations...