Local soldier help group gains support, part in film
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

L-N Photo byShannon Crabtree Getting A Lift The Polaris Corporation recently donated this $13,000 Ranger to Hunts For Heroes to use in transporting wounded soldiers to and from hunts. Pictured (l-r) are Steven and Melissa Weinheimer, Founder Billy Hodges, Rowdy Wilson, Nick Weinheimer, Robby Drapela, Larry Livanec, Philip Urbanovsky and George McKelvy.

Soon to be part of a documentary on outdoors activities and their healing effects on wounded soldiers, El Campo's Hunts For Heroes organization hopes to double its efforts this year.

And support is growing.

Hunts For Heroes, the creation of El Campo resident Billy Hodges, is designed to give wounded soldiers a chance for a little R&R in the outdoors on either hunting or fishing trips. It is largely backed by the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department membership.

In the last few weeks, the Polaris corporation delivered a $13,000 six-seater Ranger and an anonymous donor has provided a covered trailer to transport less mobile soldiers during hunts.

Public support for Hunts For Heroes has been outstanding, Hodges said.

L-N Photo byShannon Crabtree Helping Hands Prosperity Bank of El Campo recently donated $2,500 to Hunts For Heroes general use. Pictured (l-r) are Nick Weinheimer, George McKelvy, Philip Urbanovsky, Bank Senior Vice President Denise Urbanovsky, Jack Fisk, Bank President Carolyn Roy, Steven and Melissa Weinheimer and Founder Billy Hodges.

The organization provided 400 hunter hours to the wounded last year, he said, "and this year we hope to double that and we are on track to triple it."

All of the wounded are recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.

Proof Creations, an Austinbased film production company, will be including all three in their upcoming documentary.

The Hunts portion is set for shooting during a scheduled fishing trip to Sergeant.

"Filming starts this weekend," said Steve Mick of Proof Creations. "This is the first film we've shot for this project."

In addition to the El Campo group, the project will include footage from Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. and the outdoor activity groups Team River Runner, a kayaking effort, and Project Healing Waters, which offers fly fishing to the wounded.

"Basically the overall mission of the film is the impact of outdoor adventure in helping wounded soldiers recover," Mick said.

The film, titled Warriors, is scheduled to be released in early 2009 to assorted film festivals and limited screening in 35 to 40 cities. Negotiations are also under way to have it broadcast next year.

"I read about Billy (Hodges) and his passion for what they do," Mick said about selecting Hunts For Heroes as a part of the film. "I thought this is a story that needs to be told. Billy's group is a great example of a grassroots organization."

Mick helped Hunts procure the Polaris donation.

"When I originally talked to Billy about the project, I asked if they needed anything," he said. "The only thing that came to mind was something to tow a flatbed trailer (used to transport less mobile wounded hunters). He was almost embarrassed to mention it. He didn't think there was any way to make that happen. And at first, neither did I."

But a few phone calls later, Polaris offered the ATV.

Warriors is the fourth film for Proof Creations which focuses on outdoor issues.

In addition to the film project, Hunts For Heroes is also planning a fishing trip to Palacios and a South Texas deer hunt.

"We've got all kinds of things coming up," Hodges said, adding hunting and fishing trips are planned several times throughout the season.

Hunts For Heroes volunteers are escorting 20 wounded soldiers each month on average and hope to expand from there.

A new program adding to the volunteer services involves married couples.

"We're working with chaplains and case workers to find wives and husbands," Hodges said, adding that in addition to the horrendous wounds some of the recovering soldiers struggle with there is also the emotional toll they take.

"Many are trying to hold their marriages together," he said. "Families are falling apart. It is a strain on the marriage."

The program, set for summer, will hold its first event at volunteer Steven Weinheimer's Whistling Wings hunting lodge. Three cabins will be made available for couples.

Volunteerism for the Hunts For Heroes program remains strong, Hodges said, adding the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department remains the core of the effort.

"And we're still 100 percent volunteer," Hodges said.

That fact, Weinheimer said, helps with efforts to secure grants and other donation funding.

"In other organizations, 25 cents of every dollar goes to administration," he said. "We spend 100 percent on the soldier."

Monday, El Campo's Prosperity Bank President Carolyn Roy stood with volunteers to present a $2,500 check to the organization.

A fundraiser is in the works for later in the summer.

Those wanting to donate to Hunts For Heroes can send their support to P.O. Box 1663, El Campo, Texas 77437.