Knights of Columbus donates $2,500 to Warrior House

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 September 2021 at 8:35 am

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Members of Medina Knights of Columbus posed behind a kneeling soldier and cross to present a check for $2,500 to Pete Zeliff at the Warrior House on Salt Works Road. From left are Howie Gardner from the Knights, Zeliff and Dave Bellucci with the Knights.

MEDINA – The Warrior House on Salt Works Road has been designated by the Knights of Columbus as the recipient of a check for $2,500, representing the proceeds of their recent golf tournament.

The Knights have been having a golf tournament for 25 years, said Dave Bellucci, who was on the golf committee with Jim Mirand, Archie Washak and his wife Amy, Howie Gardner, Bob Fox, Karen Carlton, Kevin Bogan, and Mike and Martha Krupa.

Mirand said the committee wishes to thank all the volunteers who helped on the golf course, as well as those in the kitchen assisting with the banquet. He said thanks also go out to all the golfers, members and guests who generously supported the tournament and basket raffle.

The golf tournament was started to benefit a scholarship in memory of the late Larry Schrader, but recently the Knights decided to support the Warrior House and its programs for veterans.

Skip Draper, a member of the Knights, said they used to earn money by having fish fries, but had to discontinue them when Covid hit.

He also said it had been suggested they sponsor a veteran on Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s trip to Washington, D.C., but that would only help one person, where a donation to the Warrior House would benefit multiple veterans.

The Warrior House is also going to benefit from a promotion at Arby’s Roast Beef in Batavia. During the month of October, Arby’s owner Bill Meland has agreed to donate 10 percent of his proceeds to the Warrior House.

Pete Zeliff, who lived on Johnson Road in Middleport, donated the land and house for the Warrior House about 12 years ago to use as a retreat and hunting preserve for veterans. Since then, beds have been built in the home, where up to nine veterans can be accommodated for goose hunts and deer hunts annually.

“This donation will help support our programs going forward,” Zeliff said of the Knights’ check.

The Warrior House and hunting preserve are located on 100 acres of land, which Zeliff has dedicated to providing recreation for veterans. Zeliff’s mother Kathy Zeliff volunteers to cook meals for the veterans when they are at the Warrior House for a weekend hunt.

Zeliff and his wife also recently purchased the former Yellow Goose in Oakfield, which they have turned into the Oakfield Food Pantry. More and more veterans are taking advantage of that, Zeliff said.