Valley nonprofit helps out veteran, a Purple Heart recipient and double amputee

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - If you catch a glimpse of what was happening outside of Matt Zajac's San Tan Valley home, it may look like some friends helping him move - but there's a lot more than meets the eye.

"We're out here with Matt," says Justin Youngman, founder of non-profit Changed By Nature Outdoors. "He's a Purple Heart recipient, double amputee and we're helping him get his place loaded up...to get him back to Arkansas."

Youngman runs Changed By Nature Outdoors, which provides resources and opportunities for wounded warriors, veterans, law enforcement and others to heal through outdoor activities.

"He's going to be going through a PTSD program through a sister organization called We Are 22," says Youngman.

The number 22 comes from the startling statistic that 22 veterans attempt to commit suicide each day.

The veteran says it wasn't easy to admit he needed help.

"Things have just kind of gone south on me, I suppose," says Zajac. "And I just needed help to put my life back together."

Seeing everyone come together to help him pack up and help him takes his breath away, says Zajac.

"It's overwhelming and very humbling," says Zajac. "I'm so used to trying to do this stuff on my own, and I just can't do it on my own anymore."

Zajac adds that if there's any other veterans out there struggling, he urges them to accept help like he did.

"Contact the organization," Zajac explains. "They will do what they can to help, and they have done a tremendous amount to help me as well."