Local baseball organization fundraising to donate meals to veterans

For the second consecutive year, the 716 Patriots Baseball Organization, in coordination with BBQ Weider’s, will host a chicken barbecue fundraiser. The event will take place from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at the George W. Lamm Post, 962 Wehrle Drive, Williamsville. Meals are $15 for a half chicken and two sides. All proceeds will assist the organization with expenses for the upcoming season.

A press release stated, “Different from normal fundraisers of this type, the organization is asking that you not only take some home, but also donate a meal to a veteran. So far, more than 300 meals have been donated with the help of family and friends, but also WNY Heroes Inc. has ‘stepped up to the plate’ and sponsored 67 ($1,000) meals of their own.

“We have many friends and family that have served. The organization itself was named the 716 Patriots to honor the brave men and women who protect and serve. This is our way to acknowledge the sacrifices and celebrate the successes as Veterans Day quickly approaches.”

Meals will be sent to the Eagle Star House of Batavia and Freedom Village in Sanborn, with the reminder to be distributed by WNY Heroes at its Delavan Avenue location.

WNY Heroes will be distributing over 250 dinners at 1001 E. Delavan Ave., Buffalo, starting around 4 p.m. To donate a meal to a veteran, visit www.716patriots.com.

The mission of WNY Heroes is to provide veterans, members of the armed services, and the widows and children of deceased veterans with access to essential services, financial assistance and resources that support their lives and sustain their dignity.

Eagle Star Housing is a not-for-profit organization that provides veterans a safe place to live while they regain independence and self-sufficiency. Veterans are offered support services, food and housing stability, as well as education in life skills. Eagle Star Housing is committed to ensuring all veterans have a safe place to sleep at night, while maintaining a long-term goal of assisting each veteran to find and secure permanent and stable housing.

Freedom Village is located on the Horizon Village campus in Sanborn. Its program provides intensive substance use disorder treatment to men who have served in the military and/or as first responders, incorporating specialized individual and family services for those who also may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or mental health disorders.