ODESSA, Texas — Neighbors are helping neighbors during a time of devastation at the Texas Panhandle.
Joey Rinehart, owner of Odessa Hydraulic Power, and Brandon Snyder, who runs Crane and Material Handlin, have been partnering up for years.
This time, the two businesses have been brought together by the need to help the victims of the Smokehouse Creek fire.
"It feels like it was something we needed to do," Snyder said. "I [told Rinehart] I have a truck and a trailer, let's do it!"
Since Feb. 28, the group of nearly eight people have been collecting pallets of water bottles to transport to Amarillo. With the help of a few companies around West Texas, the group secured nearly 8,000 bottles of water.
"It's a little overwhelming, I mean we don't have a whole lot but we want to see what we can do when we get up there and see what else they need," said Rinehart.
On March 1, the team traveled to Amarillo for the first round of drop-offs. But, they hope to continue hauling as many donations as they can based on necessity and contributions.
According to Rinehart, the team is made up of people with a variety of skills they hope can be useful to help the victims of the blaze.
"We've got trucks full of tools so if anybody needs any mechanic work, we're going to fix it," Rinehart said. "We're going to do whatever they need us to do."
Despite only transporting water on their first trip, they are also accepting donations such as clothes, food, furniture and more.
"Anything to help out some Texans," said Connar Hair, a member of Odessa Hydraulic Power and its volunteering efforts.
The team will continue to travel to the Texas Panhandle to drop of donations as necessary. Brandon Snyder can be reached at (432)-701-8717 if people would like to donate.