By Kim Genardo – NBC17.com

Governor-elect Pat McCrory officially takes over Jan. 5, and his first public event will honor North Carolina veterans.The Veteran’s Leadership Council of North Carolina-Cares told NBC-17 that McCrory will attend a reception and benefit dinner at the North Raleigh/Midtown Hilton that evening.

“The heroes who served our nation in the Armed Forces deserve our everlasting gratitude,” said John Turner, executive director of the VLC. “The VLC is honored Gov. McCrory has chosen to make his first pubic appearance as governor at the Salute to North Carolina Veterans dinner to help the estimated 6,000 homeless and at-risk veterans currently living in North Carolina.”

Former North Carolina Governors Jim Hunt and Jim Martin will serve as honrary co-chairs for the event.

The money raised at the benefit dinner will go to refurbish a facility in Butner that will house homeless veterans.

VLC is a veteran-owned non-profit that helps returning veterans reintegrate into society. For more information about the event visit the VLC website: http://vlcnc-cares.org