How the Dream Came True

AHERO ON THE MOVE How the Dream Came True With the Help of a Thousand Angels and Pure Faith

By Dave Glassman

As you all know, one of our primary goals over the past few years has been to construct a new “Warrior Lodge” that would provide adequate and appropriate space for our nation’s wounded/injured service members, Veterans and First Responders while they enjoy the benefits of AHERO hunts and other programming.

This fundraising goal has been on a notto-interfere basis with the annual calendar of events and the budgeted expenses associated with those events. As such, AHERO has continued to provide its world-class hunting, fishing, golfing and other events in support of our warriors, while continuing to grow the long-term savings account for the Lodge. Additionally, AHERO gained the official approval from Congressional Medal of Honor recipient MGen James E. Livingston, USMC (Ret) to name the Lodge in his honor.

As the pandemic gripped the world and supply chain slowdowns caused building materials to skyrocket, the AHERO Board of Directors began to consider alternative options. During the summer of 2021 our Founder, Lee Stuckey, came in contact with a Mrs. Sandy Ganas, a recent widow who was thinking of selling her Alabama home on 40 beautiful acres.

THERE TRULY BE ANGELS …

This great lady had expressed a hope to one day have her home be of use to America’s Veterans, to whom she felt a great debt of gratitude. When Lee visited her to find out more, he immediately saw that her beautiful

place was in an ideal location for a large hunting lodge and events venue.

Potential “outbidders” were hoping to purchase it. Even so, Sandy worked to make the price as viable as she could for AHERO. Contributions from you, our loyal AHERO supporters, and of course Sandy, helped us “lock on” – giving enough breathing room to the dream to make it a reality.

A deal was struck, the bank cooperated, papers were signed. With a balance that will challenge but not thwart us from having the deed fully in AHERO’s possession in reasonable time, we have redoubled our fundraising efforts. Budgeting as well for renovations and furnishings necessary to accommodate numerous Veterans is figured in, and we expect to have our doors formally open as soon as possible to the first great event at the MGen James E. Livingston AHERO Lodge.

WE KNOW THE REALITIES

Cost comparisons easily proved this purchase as the better value than building the Lodge originally envisioned, which would have cost more than double. Additionally, “Sandy’s place” will accommodate the same number of visitors or more, due to the cabins and trailers both on the property and close to it. Some of this will take time, but we are already on it.

AHERO wants to recognize the incredible amount of labor and interior design ideas provided by Tamar Doull in preparing our new Lodge in time for the upcoming hunting season in Macon County, Ala.

We know the 40 beautiful acres (complete with a stocked lake right off the back porch and ripe for freshwater fishing!) and the Lodge itself will appeal to all as the new home and headquarters of AHERO. Basically a mere stone’s throw from AHERO Farms, and several times the property size of the six or so acres anticipated for the original building, this is a win all the way around. So … on a personal level, I’m of the delighted opinion that, with your help, “we done well” for AHERO!