Help for wounded vets
For injured soldiers returning stateside from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the first sight they often see are the walls of an intensive care unit. With multiple tubes running from IV poles into their arms, with monitors beeping in the background, with unfamiliar noises and faces, their new surroundings are only the beginning of a new life, a new reality. So, where do they go from here?
With loss of limbs, vision or hearing, with imbedded shrapnel and burns to the flesh, with head trauma and more, the picture seems bleak and often a sense of hopelessness engulfs the human spirit. How then do they pick up the pieces and start over?
It would make us feel better to think that they all recover. We'd like to think that they all return home and pick up where they left off before they were deployed, but sometimes that's just not the case. A quote from Jose Narosky aptly relates, "In war, there are no unwounded soldiers."
This is where Hunts for Healing offers a stepping stone to aid in the transition of these selfless heroes back into their neighborhoods and communities. Offering respite from a clinical environment, our challenging outdoor activities, social interaction, home cooked meals and care, provides the friendship, acceptance and encouragement our wounded warriors need. Our goal is to help them take those positive steps towards a successful future!
Our core team and volunteers make up the unique fabric of our organization: people from all walks of life, experiences and backgrounds coming together for a common good. Outstretched hands welcome these warriors whose hearts and souls need refuge from their scars and wounds. Follow along our journey and join us as we experience together the road to recovery and its many facets.
About Hunts for Healing
We need you!
Whether you have time to volunteer or want to be a corporate sponsor, we need you! Please consider helping to heal our wounded warriors with outdoor challenges, friendship and good times!
Volunteers needed
Hunts for Healing depends on dedicated volunteers who donate their time, efforts and talents to make our program possible. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please sign up and join us!
Sponsors needed
We are grateful when a company sponsors our mission. To become a sponsor, see our sponsorship page for more details. Thank you for your help!
Donations appreciated
All of our donations are processed through The Luzerne Foundation, a 501c-3 organization. For more details about how to donate, please visit our donation page.
Thank you to all of our sponsors!
Announcements & News
Old Glory Shoot
June 14th, 2019 • Held at Rocky Mountain Sporting Clays, Springville, PA • 4-Shooter Teams @ $600 per Team / Individuals also Welcome • Advance Registration Required • Breakfast: coffee, donuts & pastries • Ammunition provided (.12 /.20 Gauge) • Delicious Lunch: prepared by our volunteers • Trophies for High Score Shooter and High Score Team in each flight • Event-Only Raffle: Guided Hunting Trip Gun Raffles, Nice Firearms! • Annual Gun Raffle: Kahr Arms Tommy Gun • Registration and Sponsorship forms at https://huntsforhealing.org/oldglory
LinkHunts For Healing Monthly Meetings
Our monthly meetings are held the last Wednesday of each month. Meetings start at 7pm and the location is at Ringneck Ridge Event Room in Laceyville, PA. *Note meeting dates may vary around holidays, watch our Facebook page.
How can we help?
Events Coordinator: Dave Coles
Board of Directors
President, Pete Hatton
Vice President: Dale Bennett
Secretary: Terri LaRue
Treasurer: Dan Fassett
If you have any questions, please use this form. If you are registering for an event, please use the Event Registration Form below. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit our volunteer page.
Hunts For Healing events are a great way to get outdoors and meet folks. Please use the form below to sign up for an event.
You will need proof of your disability when applying to Hunts for Healing Events.
EVENT RULES
- All Hunts for Healing participants must complete a release from liability form. By filling out the registration form, you are accepting the terms as outlined in the Release of Liability.
- All Hunts for Healing participants will be accompanied by at least one mentor during hunting, fishing, target shooting, or other outdoor activities.
- All guns are to be unloaded and made safe at all times except when instructed by mentors to be made ready.
- Violence of any kind will not be permitted.
- Violation of any hunting or civil law is not permitted.
- All Hunts for Healing participants will abide by the host facility rules and regulations.
- All Hunts for Healing events are alcohol and drug free and not permitted from the time of arrival to time of departure.
- Failure to comply with the approved event rules will be grounds for termination from participant in the event.
- By filling out the event registration form, you are indicating that you have read the event rules and will conduct myself in the manner appropriate in participating in a Hunts for Healing Event.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY
By filling out the event registration form, you agree to the following:
The event participant for and in consideration of the opportunity to engage in certain outdoor activities, camping, fishing, hunting and firearms sporting activities which the undersigned acknowledges to be dangerous activity to engage in or to be on or about areas where such activities are taking place, and intending to be legally bound by this RELEASE does hereby REMISE and QUITCLAIM Hunts for Healing Incorporated and all of the directors, officers and mentors from any and all injuries or damages the registrant might incur while traveling to or from, participating in, observing or otherwise being on or about the area of outdoor activities, camping, fishing, hunting and firearms sporting activities sponsored by Hunts for Healing Incorporated. I FULLY UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT I COULD BE INJURED OR KILLED AND I VOLUNTARILY ASSUME THESE RISKS and further agree to indemnify and hold harmless Hunts for Healing Incorporated, directors, officers and mentors from and against any claims made by the undersigned, by anyone on my behalf, successors, heirs or assigns and for other persons who make such claims by reason of my actions. The undersigned further certifies that the forgoing release has been read and understood. If the person hunting is under 18 years of age a parent/guardian must sign this release. If the person is under 18 years of age, they must have proof of attending a hunter safety education course before handling firearms.
How did we help?
Tara Cain said: "I had a fantastic time and appreciate all the work you do for the success of the events."
Robert Walton said: "I don' believe that my experience could have been any more rewarding than it has been."
Tim Neri said: "This is a great program with great people who care about Veterans. I had an amazing experience!"
Sheree Revoir said: "My children told me this was the best week ever!!"
Brian Putney said: "I would definitely recommend to military families."
Robert Walton said: "Lasting memories and new friendships."
Ed Schuler said: "I learned so much. The experience of the staff and mentors, volunteers was amazing. HFH exceeded any all all expectations I had or could have dreamed of having, I found a home and family."
Anonymous said: "HFH Foundation is geared toward giving back. I would not change a single thing."
Erik Olson said: "Mindy and the staff do an exceptional job, and truly understand what Vets go through."
Kaleb Weakley said: "Great homelike environment!"
CPT Amanda Heidenreiter said: “The great thing is that it doesn’t matter what war you fought, whether WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War and the current wars; every military service member has that brotherly and sisterly kinship that we all can relate too. Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.”
Major Kent Solheim said: “I lost my leg to injuries I sustained while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Iraq Freedom. I was privileged to be part of the Hunts for Healing turkey hunt at Ringneck Ridge Inc. During my 5 day stay, I was given not only the chance to harvest a spring gobbler and catch some fish, but more importantly was blessed with the opportunity to fellowship with a community of unbelievable and unselfish people that demonstrated their sincerest gratitude to each of the Wounded Warriors. Generations of patriots that have defended our country’s sovereignty in Vietnam, the deserts of Iraq during Operations Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan shared stories and tears of their many memories and losses. This event can only be described as positively overwhelming and a truly healing time. I will never forget this experience. I am reminded of what kind of fiber America is made of and what makes this country so worth fighting for.”
Ross Colquhoun on behalf of the Walter Reed Staff said: “It’s organizations and people like you which show them they are not forgotten and make their rehabilitation and our jobs at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) easier, not to mention fun.”
WC Examiner said: Army Specialist Daniel Acosta of Chicago came from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., to spend five days as one of three guest soldiers of the Ringneck Ridge Hunting Preserve near Laceyville. In the first three days, the soldiers shot clay birds and hunted for pheasants. One night, the servicemen went on a raccoon hunt that lasted until nearly midnight, and then rose at 6 the next morning to hunt coyotes. “I call it the ‘Wow’ factor …Wow, I’m injured but I can still hunt.”