A Marine with a Dream: Our Story

After serving in the United States Marine Corps as a Scout Sniper and welcoming his first child, Xander, Kevin Popko settled down in Denver, North Carolina with his wife, Gini. The arrival of their second child, Riley, added to their joy. Life in the beautiful Lake Norman area was all the family dreamed of -- until the Popko's faced a significant challenge. 

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When the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in supply chain issues, Kevin was laid off from his full-time sales position. Amidst the stress and adversity, Kevin discovered a new source of inspiration. His time volunteering at the local Christian Ministry sparked an idea: why not establish a charity that directly benefits veterans in the community? With this determination and newfound free time, Kevin set out to create something meaningful for his family and the greater Lake Norman community. 

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After months of furniture pick-ups, packed storage units, and a search for the perfect retail space, Love Our Veterans Thrift Store opened on July 26, 2022. Kevin's altruistic venture was met with astounding support from the community, allowing the store to expand from 4,000 square feet to 7,500. With the original goal of assisting one veteran a month, the store has well surpassed that goal: as of October 2024, L.O.V. has helped over 50 local veterans! 

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