At the Larry Pickett Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we believe that no one should have to carry life’s heaviest loads alone. Galatians 6:2 calls us to carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, we fulfill the law of Christ. Our mission is to amplify the stories of our dedicated first responders, accident survivors, our neighbors in need, and local heroes, using our platform and reach to help them bridge the gap in their essential goals. Together, we can lift the heavy weights of life and ensure that those who sacrifice for us and those fighting to heal have the resources they need to thrive.
Equipping the First Responder, Restoring the Survivor and Honoring the Civilian Hero.
The Larry Pickett Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to Equipping First Responders, Restoring Survivors, and Honoring both First Responder and Civilian Heroes. Founded following the heroic rescue of a driver from a burning vehicle by Larry Pickett, Sr. and Larry Pickett, Jr., the Foundation operates a ‘Full-Circle’ impact model designed to transform moments of crisis into a legacy of community protection.
Our Three Pillars of Impact
1. Equipping the First Responder We fund life-saving equipment grants for underfunded and rural districts, ensuring that local fire, EMS, and police departments have the modern tools required to protect their communities and return home safely. We also honor the journey of accident survivors by reinvesting a portion of their campaign funds back into the specific first responders who answered their call, creating a lasting legacy of gratitude and safety in their own backyard.
2. Restoring the Survivor We provide Stabilization Grants and Home and Health Grants to cover critical medical and logistical costs following a life-altering crisis, ensuring that financial barriers never stand in the way of a survivor’s or individual’s path to recovery and long-term quality of life.
3. Honoring the Hero We preserve the stories of both First Responder and Civilian Heroes, inducting them into the National Library of Courage. By immortalizing these acts of bravery, we inspire a global culture of selfless service and community action.
The Full-Circle Commitment
By bridging the gap between a crisis and a comeback with our transparent 85/15 funding model, we ensure that every life-saving moment is met with the professional advocacy, strategic storytelling, and long-term support it deserves.
Who We Serve
We equip the first responder, restore the survivor, and honor the heroes within the community they call home.
How We Serve
We create high-impact campaigns to bridge the gap for both survivors and heroes. Whether we are funding a survivor’s recovery or providing a department with critical equipment, we ensure those on the front lines and those they rescue have the resources needed to thrive.
Help us hit our first $10,000 milestone to power the Larry Pickett Foundation’s 2026 operations
Donate
Why did we start the foundation?
The Midnight Rescue That Changed Everything
It was nearly midnight at the top of a remote mountain. The air was cold, the road was dark, and David Denton was trapped inside a mangled vehicle entangled in live electrical wires. The clock was ticking, and every second mattered.
Bridging the Gap: Our Eight Essential Areas of Support
By combining support with national advocacy, we lead underfunded departments, survivors, neighbors in need, and heroes—both professional and civilian—out of the chaos of crisis and into a sustainable future of stability through our full circle of care.
First Responder Equipment Grants
We empower underfunded departments to secure modern, life-saving tools. Through our 85/15 model, we provide the professional fundraising and administrative advocacy necessary to equip our hometown heroes.
Stabilization Grants
Covering immediate medical deductibles, specialized therapy, and hidden crisis costs. By paying vendors directly for mortgage, utilities, and rehabilitative needs, we stop the financial spiral and ensure funds are dedicated to long-term stability and restoration.
Bridging the Gap
We bridge the gap by resolving the immediate financial and logistical hurdles between rescue and recovery, addressing the urgent, hidden needs that insurance and traditional aid programs often overlook for survivors during their difficult journey.
Wellness & Support
We fund medical deductibles and out-of-pocket costs for trauma counseling. Using tax-deductible GoFundMe Pro campaigns, we remove financial barriers to mental health restoration for first responders and survivors facing burnout or PTSD.
Community Reinvestment
We support first responders by reinvesting in districts where rescues occur, procuring the specialized, life-saving equipment needed to protect our communities and enhance the success of every future life-saving intervention.
The National Hero Advocacy Fund
This fund reallocates surplus campaign resources to procure essential life-saving equipment for first responders. By reinvesting in local districts, we honor original legacies while providing vital support for future heroes
The National Hero Legacy Scholarship Fund
This Scholarship Fund provides educational grants for children of heroes and survivors. We ensure a family’s crisis never limits a child’s future, securing their path toward academic success.
The National Library of Courage
The National Library of Courage is a professional storytelling initiative preserving the legacies of heroes and survivors. We transform local bravery into a national archive that inspires a global culture of action.
Join Us
Your Generosity Can Change Lives Today
Your support makes a difference in the lives of those we serve. Together, we can honor the bravery of our heroes and empower the recovery of our survivors. Every contribution brings us closer to achieving our mission of bridging the gap to restoration for all.
Who is Larry Pickett?
Larry Pickett Jr. is a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point. In the early morning hours of August 31, 2025, Larry’s commitment to “selfless service” was put to the ultimate test. While returning from a family dinner in New York City, Larry and his father, Larry Pickett Sr., came across a harrowing scene: a vehicle had struck a utility pole and was trapped under sparking, live power lines.
Without a second thought, Larry Jr. and Larry Sr. jumped into action. Despite the immediate danger of electricity and the car beginning to smoke, they:
Navigated live power lines that were crackling on the ground.
Reached the unresponsive driver just as the vehicle was starting to ignite.
Carried the man to safety across the road moments before the car was completely engulfed in a fireball.
The Foundation’s Heart
While the father and son duo received widespread national/international praise for their heroic rescue, they both maintain that the spotlight belongs elsewhere. They believe the true heroes are the men and women who wake up every day ready to put themselves in harm’s way for the sake of others. It was this shared conviction that became the spark for the Larry Pickett Foundation. They believe that true heroism and survival shouldn’t just be a viral moment, they should be celebrated and supported.
Their story serves as our North Star as we seek out and honor others who, when faced with a crisis, choose to run toward the fire to save a life, and the survivors who fight to rebuild them.
Our Mission is to Recognize First Responders!
On behalf of the President of the United States Larry Pickett Jr receives the Soldier's Medal
See how the media shared the story that inspired the creation of this foundation
Larry receives the "Heroism Award" at the 2025 Fox Patriot Awards
CBS Sports feature during the Army-Navy Pregame show
Fox's Big Noon Kickoff Feature
ESPN College Gameday Feature
Meet David Denton: The Man Rescued by Larry Pickett Sr. and Jr.
