On Oct. 23, South Hillsborough Elks Lodge #2672 donated a total of $4,500 from its Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant and its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to Wounded Warriors in Action. Purple Heart recipients were treated to dinner and entertainment after the check presentation. WWIA, a 501(c)(3) organization in Apollo Beach, serves the nation’s combat wounded Purple Heart recipients by providing world-class outdoor sporting activities to recognize and honor their sacrifice, encourage independence and connections with communities, and promote healing and wellness through camaraderie and a shared passion for the outdoors. The veterans are flown to Duluth, Minnesota, and go to the woods to hunt and fish for three days. They begin with a meet and greet to bond with fellow wounded warriors. If walking is an issue, ATVs are on-site to assist. These trips mean a lot to those they help. C. Ohmer, USMC, Purple Heart recipient, says, “Thank you so much for everything you do to put these events on. Thank you for tricking me into thinking I was going on a hunting trip when in reality you brought me on a bonding trip. With all these trips you do, you are doing so much good healing for vets. This has been such a great bonding and healing weekend, spending time with brothers. It was so wonderful to be able to cut loose and laugh and be able to shut off the constant alertness and be able to relax. I can’t thank you enough for this healing experience.”
Pictured with John McDaniel of WWIA are members Mary Ellen Maurer and Grace Bibisi.