Local couple takes rust to a new level

Rust can become beautiful.

Not many people can immediately wrap their minds around that concept, but for Carrie Thomas and Tony Herrera, it’s the hallmark of a new event for Pittsburg and the heartbeat for a new charitable organization.

The couple, who share a passion for rat rod cars, organized this weekend’s 1st Annual Texas Rust Rally, a free all-day event for Father’s Day weekend. It’s happening at Anvil Brewing, where the idea was born during a brainstorming session with the craft brewery’s owners. It all about the rusty cars, but shiny cars are welcome, too.

“It’s a car show for all cars, not just patina cars,” said Herrera, who explained that he and his partner aren’t personally into shiny cars, but they opened it up to all classes, including classic cars, hot rods, classic trucks and 4x4’s, with 15 trophies for the winners.

But, the focus is, of course, is on the rust buckets that have been resuscitated.

“They are cars that have been rescued from fields and people bring new life back to them,” Thomas said. “I love rat rods. I’ve rescued them for years, put new motors in them, new transmissions and put them back on the road. We are focusing on that just because they’re fun.”

The rally will also feature mini bike races, a 1940s/1950s tasteful pinup contest, live music, food, and a special appearance by Lance and Wyatt Bush of the YouTube show “Turnin’ Rust.”

“They are going to be judging our car show and finishing up the last episode of Season 2 at our event,” Thomas said. “They told us they will be unveiling something big that they’ve been working on and they’ll video that at the rally.”

But, the Texas Rust Rally is about more than showing off cool cars. It’s about helping people in the community knock the rust off unfinished home improvement projects.

“The main goal is to raise money for people in Camp County who don’t have enough money to work on construction projects at their homes,” Thomas said. “They may be disabled or a single mother with three kids who can’t get to that leaky roof. Our goal is to help people.”

The couple started the Texas Rust Fund and their business Texas Rust Remodeling after that late-night brewery brainstorming session and it all fits together like new bolts on 1949 pickup.

“We come in and do a free bid and help them figure out a way to get this done.” Thomas said.

They’ve been able to help those clients and others in need through donations and sweat equity by the homeowners and they have a specific family in mind that will benefit from funds raised from the rally.

“We know a man who is our age and has Stage 4 MS. He’s bed bound and can’t use the shower in his own home. We would like to remodel their bathroom to where he can roll his shower chair into the shower,” Thomas said. “We need a shower basin and the walls, and we can make the rest happen. We think we will need about $1,500. That’s not a huge amount and I think we can get enough people at the rally to make it happen. Anything else beyond that is a blessing and we would be absolutely ecstatic.”

“When you can’t get around whether you’re young or old, it’s hard when things start falling down around you,” Herrera said. “It happens all around us and when you can give somebody back pride in their home, it’s empowering.”

Since setting up the Texas Rust Fund, it’s been word of mouth and donations have trickled in even from the recipients themselves.

“We have gone to help people and they have turned around and donated the door that we took off or money from a bonus they received to help somebody else,” Thomas said. “God has had a big hand in this. It’s a beautiful thing.”