BY PHIL CUSTODIO
Clarkston News Editor
When veterans need a break, American Sportsmen For Veterans is there to take them fishing, hunting, or just enjoy the outdoors.
“It’s all about showing appreciation to the ones who really deserve it,” said Glen Venner, who founded the non-profit group with Ed Steele. “It’s been very humbling, and it’s just been great.”
The non-profit group organizes outdoor trips for veterans of all ages, active duty service men and women, and first responders.
“We take them fishing, hunting, hiking, or anything they want to do outdoors, at zero cost to them,” Venner said. “Our mission is to honor, pay respect to, and thank those who serve and sacrifice themselves for our freedom.”
The group supplies all the equipment and licenses if needed, he said.
“We do this to give them a little R&R and much needed relief from everyday stress and give them an ear to listen to them,” he said. “We were both raised in military families.”
Trips include fishing throughout the year on the open water and ice, for perch, blue gill, walleye, sturgeon, and just about anything else.
“We also have a limited amount of private property available for us to take veterans and first responders hunting on,” he said.
Last year, they took 27 veterans and first responders fishing and four veterans hunting. This year, they are hoping to get up to 100 veterans and first responders outside for some stress relief.
The group is self funded, relying on fund raisers, raffles, outdoor shows, and donations. Their second annual Wild Game Cookout will be on Aug. 4, 2-7 p.m., at Brandon Community Park.
Enjoy bison, venison, walleye, perch, and other wild game, as well as music by the Steel Canyon Band, car show, raffle, and live auction. Admission is free, donations accepted.
“It should be a blast,” Steele said.
For more information on donations or signing up veterans or first responders, go to Americansportsmenforveterans.org, or call Venner at 248-636-9589 or Steele at 248-413-5106.