Hunting Retreat for Veterans

Photos Credit: Thom Jennings
Volunteers spent Saturday cleaning up a property on Salt Works Road in Medina. The site is being turned into a hunting retreat.

Empire Tractor salesperson and avid outdoorsman, Joe Pionessa connected Zeliff with Michael Grasso of the Batavia Assembly of God Church, and soon the pair began working in concert with Chappys Outdoors to schedule two fall hunting outings on the property. Grasso heard Catlin speak about his ministry that helps returning veterans and began coordinating local Hunting with Warriors Hunts. A lot of these guys like to hunt; we have 200 veterans waiting to join one of our hunts. Grasso, a veteran himself, noted that returning veterans have to be angry enough to kill while in the military and return home with anxiety and have a difficult readjusting to civilian life. While there is still plenty of work to do on the property, two hunts that will host a total of 20 veterans are already scheduled on the site that is now dubbed The Warrior House.

For information on how you can volunteer or any other questions you may contact Peter Zeliff Jr. at 585 590-0278 (voice or text) email nyfarmer@me.com.

Wounded veterans wishing to participate can sign up online at chappysoutdoors.com.

Those wishing to donate to The Warrior House can mail checks to: Genesee Archers for Christ 5962 Albion Rd. Oakfield, NY 14125. Choose “warrior house” in the drop down menu.