RALEIGH, N.C. — A Fayetteville woman is gaining national attention for her outreach to veterans. 

Stacey Buckner founded Off-road Outreach, where she provides medical aid, food and showers all from her Jeep.

What You Need To Know

  •  Stacey Buckner helps homeless veterans with Off-road Outreach

  •  She uses her Jeep to provide food, medical aid and showers to those in need

  •  Buckner is a traumatic brain injury survivor

  • She was named a CNN Hero over the summer

“I’m a traumatic brain injury survivor,” Buckner said. “I had a stroke and it took a long time for me to recover, so I thought my path was not looking very well.”

 After a long road to health, Buckner ended up working with Veterans Affairs.

 Buckner’s father is a 30-year military veteran, and while she’s not a veteran herself, helping veterans is where her heart is. 

 “I can relate to a lot of these veterans who have traumatic brain injuries,” Buckner said. “It is not a path I would recommend for anyone, but it is a story of survival and wanting to just give back.”

 Her words aren’t hollow either, because her literal "boots on the ground" action is gaining national attention.

Buckner seeks out homeless veterans in her Jeep, which is outfitted with food, medical aid and even a shower. Off-road Outreach has assisted more than 1,000 veterans in Fayetteville.

Her work even garnered her a CNN Hero title over the summer

Buckner says she hopes the spotlight will encourage others to join in helping those who served our country. 

“I love serving others. I think living a life of service above self is what we should all be doing. No one ever got anywhere in life without someone’s help,” Buckner said.

 Several CNN heroes were selected throughout the country, including Buckner.

The top 10 heroes will be selected the first week of November. The public will then vote on the the 2023 Hero of the Year, which will be announced in December.