There’s an urgent need for chainsaws and replacement chainsaw blades as search crews scour the debris-filled banks of the Guadalupe River.
KERRVILLE, Texas — The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1480, situated along the Guadalupe River, was directly impacted by floodwaters. But just days later, it has become a headquarters for recovery — filled with supplies, volunteers, and hope.
“Unity, together we can make it,” said Army veteran Luis Arteaga, who is on the ground helping with cleanup and search efforts.
“We’re here to do our best just to help the community and give it a shot,” said Arteaga. “We’ll be here until it’s done.”
Since devastating floods ravaged the Texas Hill Country on Friday, VFW Post 1480 has served as a hub of leadership and resilience, as dozens of people have come together to collect donations for relief efforts. Seeing the army of volunteers take part especially resonates with Arteaga.
“It breaks your heart a little bit. It’s awesome. These people are beautiful. Everybody’s beautiful, man,” Arteaga said.
The space inside the VFW is now packed with donated supplies such as food, water, clothing, tools and the energy of volunteers committed to seeing Kerrville recover.
Among the urgently needed items right now are chainsaw blades, pickaxes and search and recovery tools.
Texas State Rep. Josey Garcia (District 124) of San Antonio is helping coordinate operations at the site. She stressed there’s an immediate need for search and recovery tools.
“Dogs are hitting on debris piles up to 10 feet high,” she said. “We need pickaxes, hatchets, chainsaws and especially chainsaw blades.”
VFW Post 1480 is accepting donations daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 220 Thompson Drive.