(NewsNation) — A former air traffic controller and pilot is attempting to help ease the strain his old colleagues are facing amid the government shutdown.

They have been working without pay since mid-October, when the shutdown began, which led Mack McBurney to step in.

McBurney joined "Elizabeth Vargas Reports" to discuss his "Feed Houston's Unpaid Air Traffic Controllers" fundraiser, which has raised nearly $9,000 and is closing in on the $11,000 goal.

The fundraiser is dedicated to directly providing grocery gift cards to the controllers at Houston Hobby Airport Tower. McBurney said Charlie Kirk's morning routine was an inspiration for him to create the fundraiser.

"[He asked] can I make a difference in somebody's life today? How do I add value, and how do I honor God?" McBurney said

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