North Texans have come together to support first responders battling the Ross Fire that is scorching parts of Palo Pinto and Jack counties. The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office issued a call for donations on Facebook, and the response far exceeded expectations.
Volunteer donations exceed goals
Sgt. Timothy Wilson of the sheriff’s office said he initially hoped to fill two pickup trucks with water and sports drinks. Within six hours, volunteers had filled three pickup trucks and a box truck, and an additional 20,000 pounds of water and Gatorade were ready to go.
“We’ve got probably another 20,000 pounds of water and Gatorade standing by waiting to go,” Wilson said, noting that the supplies will help firefighters reach the fireline more quickly as crews move toward the north end of the blaze and into Young County.
Community members step up
Local residents, including Regina Vasquez, joined the effort. Vasquez, whose family has deep ties to scouting in Palo Pinto County, said the fire hits close to home.
“Fire is always tragic. It’s also close to our hearts, because as a Boy Scout family, my Eagle Scout used to go camping right over there in Palo Pinto County with the Worth Ranch,” she explained.
Damage at Worth Ranch
Wendy Shaw, a scout executive with the Longhorn Council, described the damage at Worth Ranch as “catastrophic.” Only one staff member remained on the property before evacuation, and several structures—including the dining hall and the rangers’ residence—were lost.
While the council plans to rebuild, its immediate focus is on supporting the firefighters. “We have started a collection for our firefighters to give them the necessary food and beverages and all the things that they have to continue to fight this fire,” Shaw said.
How you can help
Residents who wish to contribute can contact the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office or local scouting councils for drop‑off locations. Every gallon of water, case of sports drinks, or box of non‑perishable food makes a difference for the men and women on the front lines.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
