News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
White Plains Academy celebrated the giveaway of its first hunting blind made entirely by construction program students Thursday.
Instruction Program Supervisor Jason Holcomb said some 20 students spent an entire semester learning how to use power tools and proper construction techniques. He said it has been amazing seeing the students grow their skill set.
“I came over there and watched these kids,” Holcomb said. “I was teaching them how to use a skill saw, and they didn’t even know what a skill saw was. It was the little bit things, which were so nice.”
The hunting blind is one of at least six that will be given to Mike Pierce, who owns the 259-acre Defender’s Retreat Farm. He said the facility has tree stands and box stands, but the hunting blind made by the White Plains students creates the opportunity for wheelchair-disabled veterans to participate as well.
Pierce said the 8-foot by 6-foot structure has a ramp going up with windows adjusted to wheel-chair height. He said it is big enough for the hunter to have a guide as well, which opens the door for a wider range of veterans to enjoy the activity.
“It changes people’s lives, I mean you have vets who have trauma and the biggest thing for them is the camaraderie,” Pierce said. “I had a meeting with a vet two weeks ago and he was telling me that every month he contemplates suicide. He lost two legs, and an arm, and is burnt real bad, and the whole issue is it’s not because of him but because he feels bad for all the people who have to care for him. So this camaraderie on the farm gives vets the opportunities to come, be with other vets, and build that bonding. It’s changed my life to be able to give back.”
Holcomb said after completing the hunting blinds, they plan to look at constructing tiny homes.
