Mountain Group That Helps Military Families Feels Blessed With Donated Bus

GRAND COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - A group that helps military families firmly believes the mountains have the power to heal, and they're doing a much better job at helping those families thanks to a massive donation from a Front Range company.

"The mountains and the outdoors heal, so let's get them out and get them productive again," Ronie Huddleston with Project Sanctuary said.

It's a simple philosophy at Project Sanctuary -- a helping of outdoor activities and a few classroom sessions on such things as finances and marriage, and military families can thrive.

"When I came here with my family I watched them laugh for the first time in I couldn't remember when, and that was special to me," Huddleston said.

Huddleston had such a good time during his retreat a few years ago, he's now working for Project Sanctuary.

"We try and give them the tools that they need to be a productive part of life," he said.

The nonprofit got its own tool last week -- a $60,000 bus to help the families get around.

"It's one less stress that we don't have to worry about, and that's phenomenal."

It was donated by Davey Coach in Sedalia.

"He had a family member that just deployed," Huddleston said. "Something struck him in his heart and he just literally donated this whole entire brand new bus."

The donation will help Project Sanctuary continue its success. Of 500 families that have been through the program, 90 percent are still married, and there have been zero veteran suicides.

"You start with the families, you get them healthy, and the suicide rate is going to fall right in line with it … the tools we give these guys are long lasting."

LINK: Project Sanctuary