Wilderness Connection holds successful fund-raiser
Jeff Proctor, founder and owner of the Wilderness Connection, presents a check for $4,000 to Lars Carlson of Youth Haven, which was raised at the group’s Wild Game Dinner on Feb. 15.
Five years ago, Jeff Proctor realized he wanted to do something to connect people to nature.
As an avid outdoorsman and devout Christian, he has found for himself that getting outdoors, getting unplugged, and being in touch with God’s creation is an important way to enjoy life. So, in 2015, he started The Wilderness Connection.
“Our main focus is to use the outdoors to connect people to Christ, whether it’s hunting, camping, fishing, or hiking,” he says.
The group started out small, offering a wild game dinner for friends and family, to help raise funds to promote this outdoor lifestyle. This year, on Feb. 15, 2020, they just served up their fifth annual dinner, and have raised a total of more than $13,000 to help people in need.
“This has all happened through the generosity of our sponsors and attendees over the past five years,” Proctor says.
The Wilderness Connection’s stated mission is “to reach people for Jesus Christ using our love of his creations and outdoor actives such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, and shooting sports. The Bible teaches us that the mountains, hills, trees, plants and animals were created for our enjoyment. We like to take some time to thank God for his gifts to us.”
A member of Community Bible Church in Manchester, Proctor started the dinners there but the demand quickly outgrew the limited space at the church. The dinners are now held at Sharon United Methodist Church hall at the corner of M-52 and Pleasant Lake Road. The proceeds of these events, raised by advertising, live and silent auctions, and dinner tickets, have supported worthy causes that are in line with the group’s mission.
In 2017, the dinner supported Camp Liberty, a Norvell Township camp that provides inclusive outdoor recreation programs to aid in the reintegration of U.S. military service members, veterans, and their families. The camp has a special emphasis on assisting those with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries. The next two years, the dinners supported Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors, an organization with a mission to “…provide improved outdoor recreation opportunities for wounded veterans and individuals with health challenges; and, to coordinate a support network that facilitates their recovery through connecting with nature.” This group focuses on the nearby Sharonville State Game Area.
For its 2020 dinner, Proctor found just the right partner in Youth Haven, near Rives Junction.
“At Christmas our church was buying gifts for this camp and I checked out their website and was just blown away,” he says. “On Giving Tuesday I went shopping with a list of some of the things they needed, and I went a little crazy.”
Youth Haven’s mission is “to provide life-changing, Christ-centered experiences,” that meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of disadvantaged children. This includes boys and girls living in foster care, single-parent families, or low-income homes, as well as children who have experienced abuse, neglect, gang violence, or even a parent in prison.
”I was really impressed that in more than 50 years, they have never charged a kid for their services,” Proctor says. “That includes weekend and summer camps, after school programs, and more. And really, they simply offer HOPE to these kids who may have been through some horrible things; when I visited there it really touched me. I was sold on their mission.”
He describes the camp as “super organized, and well cared-for,” and was excited to learn that the outdoor opportunities such as archery, ziplining, and rock walls that are offered at Youth Haven are right in line with his own group’s purpose. In addition to providing a safe and fun environment with engaging activities, Youth Haven also will provide clothing, shoes, personal hygiene items, school supplies, and toys; their Christian focus provides a core group of caring adults who demonstrate Christ’s love and teach biblical principles, and become steady, positive influences in their young lives.
Determined this year to raise $4,000 to support Youth Haven’s programs, Proctor was able to reach his goal with the help of “awesome volunteers.” The family-focused dinner included a completely catered meal, that included wild caught salmon and cod, and elk, alligator and venison entrees for 128 people, provided by Dawna Stockwell. The live and silent auctions and amazing door prizes varied from gift certificates to Alber Painting, Ollie’s Pizza, United Producers, and The Distance, to Yeti coolers and other outdoor and hunting-related items.
“Everyone leaves with something,” Proctor says with a smile. “We also had great speakers, including Japanese martial arts instructor Nick Suino; Lars Carlson from Youth Haven; and Pastor Josh from Main Street Church in Chelsea.”
New this year was a photo contest that kept people moving around and mingling (and provided more opportunities to bid on silent auction items!) Proctor decided to start this year by encouraging participants to bring their own outdoor photos for display so that attendees could vote for their favorite. There was no prize other than bragging rights, but he said it was popular and had about 25 entries this year.
“It’s a fun-filled night of great food, prizes, and entertainment,” he concluded. “And you’re supporting something really great, too.”
Tables at the Wild Game Dinner on Feb. 15 were set up with outdoor themes.
Jeff Proctor promoted the evening’s photo contest using one of his own favorite photos of the outdoors as the dinner table placemat.
Items from local businesses and craftsmen were some of the highly-sought silent auction and door prize gifts.
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