Wildfire donations still helping kids

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) - Nearly one year later, donations from Central Texans are still making a difference in the lives of wildfire survivors in Bastrop County.

The youngest ones affected, and their classmates, lined up behind a school bus outside Bastrop High School Thursday. It was stuffed with backpacks full of new school supplies.

It is a special gift that means the world to 10-year-old Zachary Wratten. The fifth-grader is particularly excited about one thing.

"A notepad. I finally got one!" said Zachary.

His last one full of drawings and journal entries burned along with his family's home.

"He gets to have his journal back all over again, just like when we moved to our new house. He gets his room again. It's like everything is still coming brand new to them," said Zachary's mother, Josie.

Some of the backpacks and supplies were extras donated right after the fires. The community also pitched in and donated more supplies at local stores throughout the summer to reach more kids.

"If we hadn't have gone through what we went through in September following the wildfires, I probably would be in awe," said Steve Murray, Bastrop ISD superintendent. "But it's become commonplace to see the generosity and the outpouring of support in this community."

Around 800 backpacks were gone in just a couple of hours, and extra supplies on hand were stuffed in shopping bags.

As for Zachary, he plans on using his new notepad as soon as he gets home.

"I don't know yet [what to write]. I'm going to think about it in the car," said Zachary.