Hometown Hero: Lexington alum gives back to community

Charles England Elementary Principal Beth Callicutt opens turkey donations and prepares for deliveries. {Contributed Photo}

Cory Holt developed a passion for philanthropy after seeing the negative impact on those who did not have positive role models. This past week, his nonprofit foundation teamed up for the third year to provide more than 200 turkeys to families through Lexington City Schools.

The Hometown Gives initiative is a partnership between the Cory Holt Foundation, NASCAR driver Austin Dillon and former NFL player Josh Bush. “It's always an honor to provide hope and give back to a community that has done so much for me, throughout my career,” Holt offered. “Partnership with the Josh Bush Foundation and Austin Dillon has been an amazing bond. Each year, we give out 200 to 500 turkeys to local families.”

This year, Elevation Church Winston-Salem partnered alongside Walmart and Coca-Cola to make the turkey giveaway possible. “It’s definitely a blessing,” Holt said about giving back to his alma mater, which is one of several programs and outreach partnerships focused on uplifting youth in the Lexington community.

Holt is a native of Lexington, where he graduated from Lexington Senior High in 2003. After graduation, attending Hargrave Military Academy, he went on to attend Virginia Tech University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Apparel Housing Resource Management. Holt was quarterback for Virginia Tech’s football team, playing in three ACC Championships. He currently holds a Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management.

Holt lives in Winston-Salem and works for Wake Forest Baptist Health as a Senior Business Partner. His free time consists of serving his community, mentoring its youth and spending time with his daughter, Caillyn.  

Last year, the trio donated more than 400 turkeys and Coca-Cola drinks to Crisis Ministries. For 2021, they selected Lexington City Schools as recipient due to the needs expressed by the school administration given Holt’s strong tie to his alma mater.

“Every Thanksgiving we distribute turkeys and Coca-Cola to the local community and my hometown as part of Hometown Gives. Handing out the turkeys at our local Walmart and at schools within my community is always one of the highlights of the holiday season for me,” Dillon wrote in a statement. “It’s always great to meet people who live so close to home, and I hope it helps spread some cheer. It means a lot to be able to give back to my local community.”

Bush echoed those sentiments. “I think it’s important to serve in our hometown community because this is the same community that helped make me who I am today. The values I carry with me now are the ones I learned from this community. I am very grateful for the Cory Holt Foundation and Austin Dillon for partnering on the Hometown Gives initiative,” Bush offered.  

Holt said the three will continue partnering on projects in the future with a focus on education and mentorship for youth in Lexington.

Turkey delivery to local family. {Contributed Photo}