Man Takes World On Shoulders Amid Outbreak: Patch Hero

MERCHANTVILLE, NJ — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Candace North, who nominated her son Charles North VI, of Merchantville.

Where the nominee lives:
Merchantville

Where the person who nominated the hero lives:
Moorestown

Name of the nominee:
Charles North VI

Name of the person who nominated the hero:
Candace North

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker?”:
Yes

What does the nominee do for work?:
Forklifts

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?
My son last year on April 14 was put into the role of Man of the House and his wife-to-be's family home. His father-in-law to be that was his father in so many ways died of a stroke six months before their wedding.

My son now is a fork lifter in a warehouse in Cinnaminson that makes the faucets and other essentials for hospitals and places. His wife is a teacher's aide in Cherry Hill and is not available to work and getting her full pay. She also worked a second job in retail, which is closed also.

My son puts in extra hours to make ends meet. Then he goes to his mother-in-law's house after work to make sure that everything in the house is safe, taken care of, and to be the handyman that he was taught to be by his father-in-law.

Not only does my son work 6 days a week, 10 to 12 hours a day, and then serves as a caring loving supportive husband and son-in-law, he also has myself, his mother, who is battling ALS. It is an emotional toll as it is already, even without having so much work and the coronavirus floating around.

He cannot come and visit me. Not only is it hard for him physically and emotionally, it's hard for the whole family. My son has been working since he's been 16 years old to pay the bills. He's been a caretaker for me when my aids come through.

In a year, my son has become an instant handyman of a house of a widow and a husband to a wonderful, wonderful girl. They met when he was 11 and she was 13. Now they're 26 and 29.

My son deserves just not because of all the tragedy that's been going on in his life, but his faith has kept him strong through this whole thing

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?:
He does car reviews for Drive Time on the internet. And his passion is to be a car review person for his living but right now he's in college to become a teacher.