America's Freedom Lodge was founded to take disabled veterans back to the outdoors, offering them opportunities such as deer and turkey hunts, fishing tournaments, and other events.
"Over 17 years ago, founded by two non-veterans, America's Freedom Lodge was started off of a dream that one of the guys had one evening, and it has formed into what it is today," volunteer Meredith Pierpont told the Mount Vernon News.
According to Pierpont, the nonprofit organization only asks veterans to get to their location; America's Freedom Lodge provides everything else. They have organized week-long deer and pheasant hunts in October. May is reserved for a four-day turkey hunt, while a fishing tournament usually takes place in June at Lake Erie. Pierpont said they held their Gun Bash at Hartford Fairgrounds on Sept. 21, with camping over the weekend. The event is the organization's largest fundraiser.
Pierpont also mentioned that anyone needing help from the organization, wanting to volunteer, or offering other support can visit their website at americasfreedomlodge.org. Links are available for all applications, including those for hunts and the fishing tournament. As of a few days ago, a spot or two remained open for the Oct. 5 pheasant hunt, but they might be filled by now.
"There are also several pages where people have gone on and left their stories from past veterans and just people that have helped us get to where we are today," Pierpont said.
