Operation Texas Strong steps up for veterans impacted by Ross Fire

The useful part

County has scorched about 90,000 acres, becoming one of the largest wildfires in Texas history and leaving some people who live and work in the fire zone with nothing. Now, Weatherford nonprofit Operation Texas Strong is helping some of those affected start over, including a veteran-owned family business that was burned to the ground. The organization donated an RV to a local canoe rental business destroyed by the Ross Fire.

How it works

• Operation Texas Strong is also working to help other veterans and first responders.
• The RV is being prepared to give the veteran who owns the business a place that feels like home.
• "We want them to come home into a little RV where they'll be able to feel like they're home," Caty Crutsinger said.
• Operation Texas Strong founder Bobby Crutsinger created the nonprofit to help veterans rebuild their lives by providing them with RVs.
• "I started this program because I got tired of seeing homeless veterans on the street in the usa and I wanted to be able to help rebuild their lives with one RV at a time," Crutsinger said.

What to take from it

Along with the RV, donated canoes, life jackets and tools will help replace some of what the canoe rental business lost in the fire. The nonprofit is accepting donations of newer RVs, older but livable RVs and mobile homes.

Details worth keeping

The need for assistance won't end when the Ross Fire is extinguished. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital art...