Bastrop residents say 'thank you'

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) - It's been a year since wildfires swept through Bastrop County. Now, the community is reaching back and saying "thank you" to their first responders.

On Labor Day and on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the wildfires, the Bastrop community gathered to serve free lunches to firefighters and first responders.

For Bernie Jackson, the event organizer, Monday had a special meaning. It's why she decided to show her gratitude.

"We just wanted to let them know how much we appreciate and thank them for the work they do everyday to save our lives and our property," said Jackson.

Showing their appreciation to the men and women they call heroes like Rick Snell, a Bastrop firefighter who lost his home while battling the blazes.

"I was on one end of the fire and my wife was on the other," said Snell. "Later on we found out we lost our house while we were fighting it."

It was a devastating event that this community said ultimately brought them closer together.

"Wow, I'm so lucky to live in a town that would do this for us. Seeing them come together and celebrate and help in any way they could, it was amazing," said Devan Laird, a Bastrop County firefighter.

It's a bond they say will never be broken and for first responders they say it's a community that's always there for them as well.

"This community has probably the strongest family ties to everyone than any other community I've ever lived in," said Snell.

Tomorrow a fundraiser will take place at the Hyatt Lost Pines at 6 p.m. in hopes of raising enough money to build 36 new homes for those who are still working on rebuilding their lives.