WESTFIELD-One Southwick man is hoping a Wild Game Dinner will raise awareness and funds so that veterans and their family members can experience the “wild places of New England” throughout this year.
The dinner and silent auction is planned Feb. 11 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the East Mountain Country Club, hosted by Sergeant First Class Todd Crevier, U.S. Army retired, founder and president of New England Adventures, based in Southwick.
Sergeant First Class Todd Crevier, U.S. Army retired, founder and president of New England Adventures, is seen with retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Kevin Padberg during a black bear hunt in Maine last year. New England Adventures will host a Wild Game Dinner next month to raise funds for trips for veterans and their families.
“New England Adventures is a nonprofit organization that provides all expense paid trips to destinations in New England for veterans and their families,” said Crevier.
Crevier said since he retired two years ago and started the nonprofit, he has partnered with New England based veteran organizations, sportsman’s clubs and ranges, outfitters, local and national sporting goods retailers, corporations and individuals to provide trips for New England veterans of any era or branch.
“We also serve current military members, family members of wounded veterans, Gold Star families, and other local veteran charities,” said Crevier.
Tentatively scheduled events in the coming months include winter ice fishing in Becket, an early spring trout flotilla in the Berkshires, a late spring climb up Mount Monadnock in southern New Hampshire, an early summer tuna fishing trip on Cape Cod, a mid-summer bass flotilla in Western Massachusetts, and a late summer black bear hunt in Maine. In the fall, Crevier expects to host hunting trips for pheasant, whitetail deer and sea duck.
“One-hundred percent of the funds raised at the dinner and auction benefit the services provided to veterans and their families,” said Crevier, adding that the nonprofit does not have an office or staff so there is no “overhead” to address.
The smorgasbord will be extensive, ranging from black bear, venison, elk, moose, buffalo and duck, to goose and sea duck.
“We also hope to have locally caught salmon and trout on the menu,” said Crevier.
Crevier added that there will also be “kid friendly” menu items to choose from, including chicken tenders, salad, macaroni and cheese, hot dogs and hamburgers.
This is the second annual event and Crevier said he wants to build on the event that debuted last year.
“The dinner will be very informative,” said Crevier, adding there will be a host of vendors selling gear for hunters and fishermen.
In addition to the dinner and vendors, door prizes will be given away and a 50/50 raffle is planned.
“We will also have a silent auction with items ranging from guns, knives and an autographed baseball to a guided Alaska fishing trip with Willie Dvorak, owner of Jim River Guide Service,” said Crevier.
For a complete list of silent auction items, visit www.newenglandadventures.org.
A bear skin rug will also be raffled off during the evening affair. The meat from the bear – which was part of a hunt last August – will also be part of the evening meal.
“We expect to sell out so buying tickets early is advised,” said Crevier, noting he has a deadline of Feb. 1 for reservations.
Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased at A-10 Arms and Ammo, Southwick; Culverine Firearms, Feeding Hills; The Sandbox Pub in Southwick or online at www.gofundme/NEAdventures.
