Ed
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We are still making progress and I’d like to thank Vickie, Dana and Dan for their help. We have finished the logos and are currently working on the lighting and drainage around the building. We have cleaned up the mess from the initial classroom renovation and we have decided to continue with the natural wood look, everyone likes the wall I did first including me lol. Thank you to all our sponsors and friends.
Edward J. Lewis
Hello
Sadly we have had to cancel our youth and disabled veterans activities for the summer 2020 due to C-19. We are hopeful to possibly have the annual September fish fry with the vet’s as well as a fall hunter safety class in our new classroom which I expect to be completed by then. Currently the DNR law enforcement division is analyzing the program and the various options. On a brighter note we are still able to continue our work on the classroom and pontoon projects, thanks to continued support from sponsors who so generously donate to our organization. We would like to make mention of those folks for their product and monetary donations without which there would be no Croton Sportsmen For Youth And Disabled Veteran’s.
Safari Club International, Michigan Chapter. 2020 champion donor.
Whitetails Unlimited.
Fremont Foundation.
Tri County Eagle Riders.
Genesis trailers.
Croton Township.
Lowe’s Muskegon.
James and Marie Lewis Trust.
Jack Q. Hayes Company.
D&D Strickland.
Walmart Fremont.
Meijer Fremont.
American Legion Post 381.
Veteran’s Web Design.
M&J Hardware.
Angi Ladd.
Bucher Hydraulics.
Universal Products.
On behalf of myself our staff, volunteers, Kids and Veteran’s Thank you all so vary much for being a part of our team.
God bless.
Edward J. Lewis
Even through the corona 19 shut down, our founder Ed Lewis keeps plugging away on our classroom. We would like to thank Ed for his perseverance and dedication to this organization. He is working all alone and doing a really nice job.
All classes (Hunter Safety) have been cancel or postpone by executive order. We are still having classes in the fall as of now. Sorry kids!
Ed
Well looks like spring might arrive soon! All grant requested have been filed and we are preparing to get started on the current projects (classroom/wheelchair accessible pontoon) anyone knowing of an outboard motor for sale we are looking, preferably 4 stroke 50 hp in good dependable condition, it will be transporting disabled Veterans on the water so we really don’t want anything that needs work. Any donations are greatly appreciated and 100% is used for the kids and veterans programs.
Thank you
Ed
Hello all; A brief up date, we purchased a new pontoon trailer today for our second wheelchair accessible pontoon. Huge thank you to the Fremont Foundation for making it financially possible and huge thank you to Genesis Trailers for giving us a fantastic price on the trailer. Without organization like these we wouldn’t be able to do what we are doing. We would also like to thank all of our sponsors, volunteers, friends and staff for everything you do to make CSYDV a favorite place for the kids and veterans to enjoy. It is truly a blessing to be able too do this.
Thank you
God bless you all and we wish you a vary
Merry Christmas
Ed
Hello all, winter has arrived, kids back to school and the vet’s are keeping warm, probably telling stories of the big one that got away and the 10 rounds they put in the bullseye leaving only three holes! It was fantastic to here that both the kids and vet’s enjoy coming to our facility the best, truly an uplifting reward. We are still in the work mode, after receiving a grant from the Fremont Foundation for $6,000 earmarked for the second wheelchair assessable pontoon build , we are currently seeking a trailer for it so it’s movable and safer to work on. Thanks to the Sandlake Eagle Riders and there $2,000 donation we were able to have the classroom ceiling insulated today by All Phase Insulation. Now we can continue working inside as funds allow. Well that about sums it up. Thank you to all our sponsors, volunteers and CSYDV friends. From all of us to all of you we wish you a safe and joyous holiday season.
God bless
Ed
A huge thank you to the Sand Lake Eagle Riders for there continued support. I believe the donation is enough to finish the classroom project. On behalf of the kids, vets and our staff.
Thank you
Ed
God bless
Our last get together for 2019 was as always a great time with the vet’s. A great lunch fish, potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw and 3” thick chocolate brownies. Thank you to all the volunteers, we couldn’t make this happen without you. Thank you to our staff and the GRHV staff. Looking forward to next year, we are hoping to have a second wheelchair accessible pontoon and finish the classroom project. Thank you all and God bless you…………
Sea ya! In the spring.
Ed
We had a great time with the vets today. Our last outing with them for 2019. Started out a little damp and cool but a big fire and marshmallow roast warmed us. Everyone enjoyed the shooting activity. We will be having the fish fry for them on Sept 26 2019.
Great turnout for our last class of 2019, well informed youngsters, it was a pleasure working with them. They all have their certificates in time for the youth hunt.
Our last time fishing with the veterans this season. Perfect weather, however the fish weren’t cooperating, we did manage to drown several dozen worms. And it was great time, probably not so good for the worms? Big thank you to our volunteers and the staff, couldn’t do this without you! We’ll be at the range September 9 for shooting sports with the vets and lastly the banquet September 26.
Ed
Fun time in the park today with the kids making ice cream. Our last gig with them until next summer. Hope you all have great accomplishments in the coming school year. God bless
Ed
It was a perfect day for our last fun day with the Summer rec kids this season. We had enough volunteers to do crossbow, pellet guns and golf what great time we all had young and a little older. We will be making ice cream in the park next Monday. Please visit our website at csydv.org there is a go fund me window on each page and we could use the financial help. Thank you
Ed
It has been a busy July. In-between outings with the Croton summer rec kids, we continue to move along with our Class room project.
Today was supposed to be the make up day for our rained out pellet gun shoot with the Croton Rec. kids from June 24th. How ever today was called again due to bad weather.
Ed
Monday with help from volunteers we put up the east wall as well as preparing the ceiling for insulation in the classroom.
Ed
Now that the monsoon season is behind us, it’s fun time. We had a beautiful day Monday for archery and golf with the kid’s, great turn out. Everyone had a good time, volunteers included. Everyone got a Frisbee, the new rest room was well received. The bus got stuck! they don’t roll through soft sand well, we got her out. Next is the rain day make up for the pellet range on the 18th.
We would like to thank M & J Hardware and Shoreline Metal Fab for their part in making this Fire ring for us, possible. We are looking forward to sharing good time around the campfire with the Veterans and Kids that we work with.
Our first fishing trip of 2019 was June 3rd with the vets on Croton pond. What a beautiful day it was everyone had a great time most everyone caught fish. Some were bait size but they were fish! and they allowed us to practice our catch and release skills. We had two WWll vets on board our custom made wheel chair accessible pontoon. We are currently applying for a grant that will be used in part to build a second wheel chair accessible pontoon which will allow us to take four wheel chairs. We thank our sponsors for their continued support, Hilltop Express for the bait and Gene’s Market for lunch purchased by the Strickland’s and of coarse our volunteers who give their time and equipment. What a great bunch of people we are truly blessed.
Ed
Moving forward on the classroom project
Currently CSYDV is moving forward on the classroom project, the new roof is finished leaking skylights are gone. The east wall steel will need to be removed and 2X4’s replaced. We will be sheeting wrapping and reinstalling the steel, then it’s time to finish the inside. We have received donations of a desk, chairs and other furniture so it is vary possible it could be completed this year! Then we’ll be looking at plans and cost of building another wheel chair accessible pontoon. Thank you! to all of our sponsors, without caring, generous folks like you this would not be possible.
Again Thank you
Ed
Here is a photo of our 2019 Dam to Dam 50/50 winner!
Here is a photo of our 2019 50/50 winner! We would like to thank him for a generous donation of some of his winnings back to our organization. We would like to thank everyone who bought 50/50 tickets, breakfast burritos and BBQs. It is through your generosity that allows us to help the youth and Veterans of our area. Thank you
2019 Dam To Dam Fishing tournament February 16 Croton township
2019 Dam To Dam Fishing tournament February 16 Croton township, Which is also our annual fundraiser was a spot on success. Great weather lots of great people enjoying the great outdoors here in river country Newaygo Michigan. The generous people attending this year’s event allotted us a generous sum, via the 50/50 raffle, the sportsman package raffle and food purchases, the sum of $1505.00 to deposit in our account 100% of which will be used to continue our quest of planting big smiles on very deserving faces. Thank you! It also created the opportunity for us to share with our supporters during the 50/50 raffle, this year’s winner received $772.50 and gracefully donated $100.00 back to us, again thank you all for your generosity and please visit our website csydv.org and see the smiles you helped create.
God Bless You All!
Ed
The photo below is our Sportsman package winner
2019 Dam to Dam fishing tournament Feb. 16th Croton Michigan, Newaygo county.
Croton Sportsmen For Youth And Disabled Veterans (CSYDV).
Stop by our booth for a free cup of coffee free coaster/kickstand plate, $3.00 BBQ, Sportsman package raffle and our 50/50 raffle, last years winner took home $637.00.
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We are a 501 (C) (3) public charity and all proceeds are used for the Vets and Kids. donations are welcome and can be made on the website ; csydv.org
The Sportsman package:
Kershaw Knife; donated by fox knives Ed Fox
Cool Bubbles insulated bait pail & Bubble Box air pump and dip net; donated by M&J HWD
Frabill ice rod combo; donated by M&J HWD
2 Rapala jiggingshadrap one glows in the dark;donated by M&J HWD.
Shakespeare rod and reel combo; donated by Michigan state police
EZ- Throw clay target thrower; donated by Team Lewis Inc.
18oz leak-proof Eastman Tritan double wall insulated bottle; donated by Vickie Way
Water proof case for iphone 6/7; donated by Team Lewis Inc.
1 hard cover book, titled 130 years of Sports Afield; donated by Safari Club Int MI chapter
And a late addition not showing in the photo, Bow case donated by Branden & Liz.
Whitetails Unlimited became our 2018 champion sponsor, donating $2500 to help with the renovation of the building space donated for the classroom. We still need about $6500? To make it happen. On the pages of our website you will find a donation section. Every little bit helps and it’s tax deductible, please consider a donation, 100% goes towards the kids and disabled veterans.
Thank you
Ed
We are currently excepting donations of gently used or new sporting goods camping, fishing, hunting etc.
We are currently excepting donations of gently used or new sporting goods camping, fishing, hunting etc., for our annual fundraiser, taking place at the Dam to Dam fishing tournament in February 2019, (Croton Michigan.) All proceeds are used for the youth and disabled veterans. Equipment can be dropped off at M & J Hardware in Croton and need to be there no later than December 31st. If the turn out of equipment is small, we will hold on to it for the following year or return it to the donors. If anyone is interested in a monetary donation please visit our website at CSYDV.org there you will find a go fund me box at the bottom of each page. Thank you in advance for your support
Hello everyone, we have completed the restroom, however my call to Grand Rapids Veterans Facility was not what we hoped for. They unfortunately for us are booked for October and feel the weather in November would not be pleasant. So we will not be hanging out this fall. On the other hand they have lots of things to do, it’s all good. We have plenty in the works, continuous improvement. Thank you to all of our sponsors and volunteers for another great year. God bless you all and have a great holiday season we’ll see you all in the spring.
Ed
Today’s fish fry banquet signifies the end of our fishing season with the vets, and the beginning of a new segment in CSYDV activities. This fall we will be inviting the vets to our shooting range where we will enjoy a camp fire hotdogs and shooting activities. This has been in the plan for several years and now becoming a reality thanks to the ongoing sponsorship from Safari Club International (Michigan Chapter).
On our last update we had the interior wall paneling and the exterior siding installed and ready for a roof. We now have our roof completed, skylights and all. We have also accomplished some work on the interior. We have the seat, urinal and stall partition installed. We are down to the finishing touches. Due to the fact that this will be a complete handicap accessible restroom. We still need to install our proper grab rails. After that it’s just the door and paint.
Thank you to Safari Club International (Michigan chapter) for their continued support. It is that generously that made this possible.
Our last hunter safety class in 2018. Great turnout, vary good students it was a pleasure having them. Thank you to our sponsors for their support, they make it possible for the class to take place free of charge. Our 2018 champion sponsor Whitetails Unlimited and to our longtime sponsor Safari Club International (Michigan chapter). We are vary great full for their generosity. Special thank you to our local Conservation Officer Mike Wells for making time to address the class and assist with the field day segment. We wish all of our students a safe and successful hunt. Once again thank you on behalf of CSYDV.
Ed
Taking advantage of a nice cool day, we were able to get back to our building project. We now have the siding on the outside in the interior lining done. We are ready for a roof! Below are some pictures of today’s progress.
To day was our last scheduled fishing trip with the vet’s, we were rained out and the vet’s opted out on lunch at the legion. We needed the rain and this is the first time we ever had to make that call, had it not been for the red and yellow spots on the radar we may have went. Looking forward, we are in the planning stages for quality time with the vet’s this fall, when the restroom is finished. We will enjoy archery and other shooting activity’s at the range and perhaps a fire and cookout. Thank you to all you volunteers that were ready and waiting, without you and our sponsors it would be difficult to make this happen.
Aug 1, 2018
August first, beautiful day for ice cream in the park with the summer recreation group. The kids and staff enjoyed the hand made vanilla ice cream and all the toppings. It was our last event with the kids in 2018 hope to see you all next year. Best wishes in the up coming school year.
Ed
July 24th 2018
We are moving forward on our outdoor restroom facility. We will let today’s pictures tell the story. Like to thank our volunteers and the Michigan chapter of Safari Club International. It is their help that makes a project like this possible
July 23, 2018
CSYDV Youth crossbow shoot.
Croton Summer Recreation program and the Tri-County kids, assembled at our range for our crossbow shoot this morning. Was a bit damp but cool, no one melted. Perfect for the out door activity. The kids and staff enjoyed the time spent together learning the safe handling of crossbows and the shooting instructions provided by our staff. A special thanks to Red Arrow Archery and a huge thank you to our volunteers and there’s for helping too make all these smiles. See you next season.
Ed
Today with help from many volunteers we were able to pour the floor for our new Outdoor restroom facility. We would like to thank our volunteers for their help today. And a big thank you to Michigan Chapter of Safari club international, it is their support that made this project possible. We will be posting more updates as this project moves along.
Setting up for the Croton summer recreation program for kids. Today is compound bow day with the summer rec kids. The bus showed up today with 29 kids eager for a chance to shoot a compound bow. It was a great day to be in the outdoors.
We had our pellet gun day with the Croton summer recreation for kids. The weather was beautiful for a day at the gun range. We had enough time that most of the kids that wanted to shoot a 2nd time were able to. Some of these kids have never shot a pellet gun before, and others put 5 rounds in the bull’s-eye.
Today was our June fishing with the veterans day. It turned out to be more of a boat ride with the veterans. Fishing was really slow. It was a nice day for the veterans to get out and enjoy a day on the water. We all had fun even though we did not catch hardly any fish.
We are happy to announce that today we broke ground on our new Outdoor restroom facility! Yes I know that an Outdoor restroom facility does not sound very exciting. However, it will open up new opportunities for us to better serve our community. It is designed to be totally handicapped accessible. And yes that does mean wheelchairs too. This will allow us to include disabled veterans from the Grand Rapids home to be able to use our shooting range. Without this facility that cannot happen. So this will open the door to another fun outdoor activity for our disabled veterans. It will also be very beneficial on the days when we have the Croton summer rec program kids at our range for their activities.
Today was our May fishing trip with the vets. The rain stopped just in time for the Vets arrival. With the rain out of the way the weather turned nice. The fishing was a little slow. We all had a good time, sure is nice to be back out on the water.
We’d like to thank everyone who made today possible.
Thank you
