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WOODS CROSS — An automotive shop known for custom modifications of diesel engines is sending truckloads of help to Texas.
Diesel Sellerz is the home of "Diesel Brothers," a TV show on the Discovery Channel that showcases custom vehicle builds done by the company. Tuesday, it gathered a lot of goods and put together an unmatched convoy of rescue vehicles for the road.
"We just want to get down there and do all we can for them," said Hans Peterson, a marketing manager at Diesel Sellerz.
They posted a Facebook and internet plea to their followers just Monday, and the donations starting pouring in.
"I sure feel like I am blessed," said Erin Miller, dropping off disposable diapers and baby formula. "I hope people would help me out if they could. I'm happy to help out other people since I can."
All day, there was a steady stream of cars and trucks in and out of the business at 1955 S 1800 West — all dropping off relief goods for the convoy.
"Within the last 12, 15 hours, three or four semi loads of product have been donated," Peterson said. "So it's been really cool to see."
Godfrey Trucking pitched in a semitruck and driver. He's already headed for Texas with 16 pallets of water and eight pallets of diapers, towels and soap.
People are donating "everything that they're going to need down there," Peterson said. "It's been awesome to see."
"This is the kind of stuff I live for," said Jim Anderson, general manager at the automotive shop.
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The company is taking a rock crawler with super-sized wheels, a helicopter, even a Finnish tank modified for fun.
"The big rock crawler and stuff, we use them for Moab; and we use the stuff for playing in the snow in the winter. But at the end of the day, these things are built for situations like this," Anderson said.
They bought a fan boat just Monday night on KSL Classifieds because they wanted to have a craft capable of rescues in shallow water, mud and marshlands.
"He showed me how to run it," Anderson said of the seller. "We'll go down and put it to work."
A crew of 10, with extra fuel, tools and gear will be going to make a difference. They're expecting chaos and difficult communications, but they're eager and ready to work.
"Seeing people in need and having the ability to take our extra resources and go down and really do some good, that's what gets my blood pumping," Anderson said.
The crew planned to hit the road late Tuesday and spend a couple of weeks in Texas. For now, they've stopped asking for supplies.
"We've been blessed with everything we have," Peterson said. "So, it's our way to return the favor to those that are in need. Right now, we're definitely excited to go down there."
