When Tony Lord received a message on social media from a professional racing team, his longtime passion became an opportunity to help others.
Tony, a Relationship Specialist, creates custom helmets inspired by gaming, racing and pop culture, designing detailed pieces for cosplay and display. His work had caught the attention of the team, which was searching for a meaningful way to support one of its own.
A crew member had been seriously injured in a testing accident, suffering burns across more than half of his body. The team wanted to do something meaningful, which led them to reach out to Tony for a custom helmet.
“Okay, let me do what I do best,” Tony thought.
Pressed for time, Tony went straight to work. He fired up his 3D printer and, piece by piece, painted and primed a helmet with a bold design. The finished piece was sent to Indianapolis, where it was intended to be raffled off as part of a fundraiser.
By the time the helmet arrived, the organization had already reached its financial goal. Still, the impact wasn’t lost. Instead, the team chose to gift the helmet directly to the injured crew member.
“He expressed deep gratitude because of how much it meant to have a unique, one-of-a-kind piece,” Tony said.
Moments like this are what drives Tony: using his creativity to help others when it matters most.
Turning Passion into a Business
Tony’s passion for helmet fabrication began in the early 2010s, inspired by his love for the Halo universe. At the time, the process relied on a painstaking method called pepakura, which involved cutting, folding and assembling cardstock before reinforcing it with fiberglass and resin.
“It could take months to make a single piece,” Tony said.
Over time, advances in 3D printing allowed Tony to produce the same work in hours, though the artistry still lies in the finishing touches. As demand for his work grew, his passion evolved into a business, now known as White Cat Customs.
Art Meets Purpose at VyStar
Tony’s generosity doesn’t stop at racing. He has donated Halo-themed helmets to Child Guidance for its annual gala, helping raise funds for children’s programs.
He has also supported Toys for Tots fundraisers, including creating a Texas-themed helmet that raised $1,100.
“It’s about using what I love to help others,” Tony said.
Tony has also dedicated hours to community projects, from building playhouses to supporting local animal shelters. One volunteer visit even led to the adoption of his newest kitten, Nova.
“I love that VyStar gives us time to volunteer,” Tony said. “It’s something I’ve never had at other jobs.”