Two local veterans are turning their personal experiences into a force for good.

Richard King and Dan Nattress have founded “Operation Salvation,” a 501-c-3 nonprofit based in Simonton in late 2025. The organization seeks to empower disabled veterans through therapeutic woodworking programs that build skills, foster camaraderie, and support mental well-being.

“The idea began when a fellow veteran noticed me during one of my lowest moments and became concerned,” said King, who himself is a disabled veteran. “Later, he saw a very different side of me while I was woodworking and teaching him the craft. He told me there was a light that came on when I worked with wood, and that it shone even brighter when I was passing that knowledge on to someone else. That realization is what sparked the idea.”

“Both Daniel and I have been deeply affected by veteran suicide,” King said. “I lost my brother to suicide in 2012, a loss that Daniel first learned about several years ago at a veteran retreat, where I shared how profoundly difficult that experience was for me. More recently, Daniel lost a battle buddy who died during a mental health crisis involving law enforcement. When he shared that loss with me, we agreed there had to be a better, more compassionate response to this devastating epidemic. From that shared conviction, Operation Salvation was created.”

The organization is open to veterans of all branches and eras of service who were not dishonorably discharged.

Operation Salvation aims to provide hands-on woodworking instruction to a minimum of 50 veterans during the first year and to establish strategic partnerships with veteran service organizations, local businesses, and community groups. The group also plans to launch a Veteran Tool Incentive Program that recognizes training milestones by awarding participants personal toolkits as well as to develop sustainable fundraising initiatives to ensure no veteran is excluded due to financial hardship.

Current projects – built in King’s personal workshop in Simonton -- include the creation of live-edge tables and hand-carved wooden bowls made from fallen trees. “Many neighbors are aware of our work and generously support the program by donating leftover wood from their own projects or providing access to fallen trees,” King said. “Additional materials are purchased from local hardware stores as needed. We welcome donations of wood and usable tools, provided the tools do not require repair or refurbishment.”

While no veterans are currently enrolled due to limited funding, the program is prepared to begin serving veterans as soon as financial support becomes available, King said.

King and Nattress are working to create additional awareness for the program. “We engage the public through vendor booths, showcasing our projects to generate revenue and raise awareness of our mission,” King said. Our Facebook page provides a starting point for digital outreach, with exciting

potential to expand our online presence and connect with a broader audience. Additionally, we actively cultivate relationships within the community to create new partnerships and attract individuals and organizations eager to support our work. With the right resources and collaboration, we are well-positioned to grow our impact and reach even more veterans.”

King said that the community can assist Operation Salvation through donation of usable wood, woodworking tools, or other supplies or sponsorship of a veteran or project. Volunteers can assist with woodworking instruction, mentoring, event staffing, social media and marketing support as well as fund-raising.

“Every tool, project, donation, contribution and hour of volunteer time helps a veteran regain purpose,” he said. “With community support, we can expand our impact and bring hope to even more veterans.”

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