Chicken fundraiser will raise $25,000 for NC trooper battling COVID-19

The fundraiser begins at 11:30 a.m. at Charles Boyd Cadillac, located at 250 Ruin Creek Road off the U.S. Highway 258 Bypass, but volunteers were already in the parking lot at 4 a.m. to start cooking whole chickens and preparing sides.

Skipper Forsyth's Bar-B-Q in Henderson donated chickens for the fundraiser, and Chris Fisher with Henderson Fruit and Produce donated green beans, potatoes, bread and dessert.

Most of the $10 plates were pre-sold, and organizers plan to raise at least $25,000 for the Montgomery family to help with medical costs.

Montgomery's wife, Heather Johnson Montgomery, posted an update Thursday morning to share her thanks.

"It brings tears to my eyes this morning to see all of these people in the early morning hours working so hard to bless our family," she said. "We thank you!"

According to Heather Montgomery, her husband is still on life support but remains stable.

"They are pretty adamant about wanting to stop ECMO but as long as he is remaining stable I refuse to let that happen," she said. "I will remain steadfast to fight for Brent because that was his request as well."

Things are incredibly difficult, but Montgomery and his family are getting plenty of support along this difficult journey.

"We have a small army that is battling for Brent," Heather Montgomery said. "I'm going to tell you I have been humbled by so many people, the impact my husband made in so many lives I had no idea."

Trooper Montgomery came down with the virus on Feb. 1 and he pushed through it for several days, until his oxygen levels dropped and his wife took him to the hospital. As hard as it has been, his family isn't losing faith.

"The hardest part is not being able to see him, we have been able to talk to him and Facetime him," Heather Montgomery said. "I just want to give God all the glory. Even though we are going through the storm, I want to give him credit."