NEENAH (NBC 26) — On display at Friday night’s rivalry match-up between Neenah and Menasha, will be a sea of red, white and blue.
The Menasha blue and white and the Neenah white and red will line the field to represent our country for the 'red, white and blue game'.
“The red, white and blue game is something we came up with and the biggest thing is we’re just trying to give back to our veterans,” said Jeramie Korth, Menasha football head coach.
As the Menasha team brainstormed ways to give back, one organization stood out.
“The Menasha football team decided we really want to promote the Horicon Veterans Hunt,” said Tyler Kalinski, a Marine Corps veteran.
The Horicon Marsh Veterans Hunt is an annual event that takes a group of veterans on a weekend hunt through the Horicon marsh, free of charge.
“It’s here to be part of the healing process for veterans,” said Kalinski.
In 14 years of the event, the hunt has gone from 10 veterans to 80. Veterans from all over the country come to participate, some even from outside of the country.
“From a campfire story to what it is now today, it’s pretty special to see what they’ve been able to do and what they’ve been able to put together,” said Kalinski.
The directors of the hunt are not veterans themselves; they are just people who wanted to do something nice for veterans. Organizers of the hunt share a common goal with the players.
“Our whole goal is just to give back to veterans as simple civilians,” said Kari Voy, Horicon Marsh Veterans Hunt executive director.
A goal that will take a big step forward on Friday night.
“Never in my life did I think something so simple as this would mean that much to a veteran,” said Voy.
The hunt operates solely on donations, and proceeds from the game will directly benefit the organization.
For those wanting to donate ahead of the match-up, visit horiconmarshww.com.
