Last year, Operation Texas Strong was established to provide RVs donated by the community for veterans needing housing. While RVs are often associated with travel and adventure, a donated RV is considered home for the veterans that Operation Texas Strong strives to help.
In Weatherford, Bobby and Peggy Crutsinger have been on a mission to help veterans in need. They were inspired by Peggy’s late father, who served in the Vietnam War.
“We are tired of seeing homeless veterans on the street,” Bobby said, according to reporting from NBC DFW.
“Once you’re off the street, after that, it gets a little bit easier,” Peggy said. “You’ve got the ‘Oomph’ to be able to do what you need to do to eat, get a job, and do what you got to do, but it all starts with getting them off the street.”
Last year, sixty-eight RVs were donated to veterans. Each new home comes loaded with various home goods and linens. According to NBC DFW, everything comes from the community.
“We want people to realize if you pull together, we’d be able to get stuff done more,” Bobby said.
Peggy said her father would be proud of what they’re doing.
“I think he would be quite happy to see lots of people pull together to do this,” she said.
In addition to community support, Operation Texas Strong has partnered with Veterans for America First (VFAF). According to its website, VFAF announced on August 18, 2021, that they were teaming up with Operation Texas Strong to serve the same mission.
The Facebook page for Operation Texas Strong states, “No American hero ever should have to live on the streets they sacrificed everything for to protect.”
To donate home goods or a functioning RV for a veteran to call home, click here.