Jerral Hancock is somewhat of a local celebrity in his Mojave Desert town of Lancaster, Calif. He is asked to cut ribbons at city events and waves to the crowds in parades. But Hancock is also a wounded Iraq War veteran, riddled with burns on his body. He is missing an arm, and the remaining one functions poorly.

Although locally celebrated, Hancock is far from living like a hero. He shared a mobile home with his parents and two young children, and it was difficult for him to get his wheelchair through the halls of the cramped quarters.

“The smallest thing can do so much for a family,” Abbott said. “We always say, ‘What can we do?’ This fundraiser just kept going and getting bigger, like a wildfire. I hope people see that and remember that they can do something.”