Serving Veterans. Restoring Purpose.
Send A Vet Foundation helps veterans regain community and purpose after military service through hunting and fishing trips that foster connection, acceptance, and friendship.
MISSION
empowering every veteran to thrive in civilian life with purpose, and pride.
Send A Vet Foundation is a 501c3 organization created to support our Veterans who willingly dedicated their lives to the defense of our country. Through an outdoor experience, we are reconnecting Veterans with teammates, rebuilding bonds gone dormant and refilling the emotional gas tanks for our Nation’s Warriors. These hunts and other outdoor events rekindle a flame that is hard for our warriors to describe yet everyone talks about refilling their hearts and emotions in a way no doctor can prescribe. Our end result is thanking our Veterans for their sacrifices and offering the chance to recapture the feeling once again of belonging to something bigger than oneself.
Thriving Through Hunting, Fishing & Adventure
VISION
Our foundation is built on supporting Veterans and their physical and emotional requirements through the outdoors. Our Veterans are paired with other Veterans who lead these expeditions free of charge. We know that matching Veterans with outdoor adventures they know and love, will help speed their psychological recovery and show them appreciation for their sacrifices.
Many of our Veterans after retiring or separating from service find themselves in a dark place with no real escape. While serving on active duty, these Warriors were supported by the Country's top tier resources, participated in some amazing missions and developed bonds with teammates willing to give their life for each other at a moment's notice. For many once they separated from service the support came to a screeching halt and they returned to a place where they weren’t connected anymore while finding themselves struggling with questions of “what next?”
This is where Send A Vet Foundation, almost an entirely Veteran-run organization, stands tall. We invite Veterans to join us on a trip and spend the time reflecting, enjoying the outdoors and using comradery as a medicine no doctor could ever prescribe. These Veteran reunions occur throughout the year and serve as an opportunity, but more importantly as a support mechanism, for reconnecting with their fellow Veteran community.
Who We Are
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Michael Peeters
PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mike Peeters is a retired Army Infantry Colonel with 30 years of service and 4 tours as a combat leader in Iraq, Afghanistan, Desert Storm and many other worldly places. He has commanded at Company, Battalion and Brigade level and is most proud of the time spent in the 100th BN 442D Regiment, “Go For Broke” and time served with his Infantry Soldiers in combat. Mike brings a passion for service, a love of his fellow Veterans and a sincere desire to bring opportunities to those most worthy of our efforts. He is a full time Volunteer, will be an excellent steward of our funding and works tirelessly to bring strength and stability into the lives of his fellow Veterans.
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Rick Sutter
VICE PRESIDENT
Rick Sutter is the founding member and first President of Send A Vet and continues to actively participate in and support all Send A Vet activities. He is a United States Marine Veteran with active service in Vietnam as a Forward Artillery Spotter. Rick was recognized by his own men for his continuous bravery under fire and willingness to head to the front lines to support the men in enemy contact. Upon returning from Vietnam he started his own construction company and continues pouring concrete, building anything needing building, and staying busy supporting Veterans at his home on the Selway River. Rick is an avid hunter, has never seen a mountain he couldn’t climb, and usually shows the younger Veterans how to carry bear bait into the rugged bait sites each spring.
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Jay Crouchet
SECRETARY
Jay Crouchet is a highly successful entrepreneur and has done everything from developing, building, investing and flying airplanes around the world. He enjoys collecting “cool stuff” like baseball, football and basketball cards and mentoring his nephew on the ways of the world. Jay currently owns and operates a complex printing business and you can see him any day of the week operating a forklift, adding ink to a printer, or answering a question for a customer. He is a strong advocate for Veterans and we are fortunate to have him on the Send A Vet team.
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Chris Peeters
TREASURER
Chris Peeters is a retired successful small business owner with a dedication to our service members and their well being. He brings over 40 years of entrepreneurial experience to the organization and is a tireless advocate for Veterans and supporting our Warriors. He is an avid outdoorsman, enjoys spending his free time chasing the elusive Whitetail and hunting the marshes for waterfowl.
Fundamental Principals
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1. Leaders Eat Last
We value humility in ourselves, our volunteers and our participants. Service to others isn’t just a duty—it’s a lifelong commitment. When you eat last, and there is enough food, you know that everyone who ate before you was fed. The best leaders serve others, not themselves.
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2. WE ARE A TEAM
Every Veteran deserves a supporting team. As Veterans, we know the camaraderie that comes with military service—and the challenge of finding that same connection after transitioning to civilian life. The Team is always there and remains strong for the benefit of the individual.
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3. REACHING OUT IS A REQUIREMENT
As leaders we are empowered to remain vigilant and connected with our fellow Veterans and keep the Team functioning in life. When our Veterans remain connected, great things happen for everyone involved.
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4. We Are Stewards of Donor Trust.
We are committed to fiscal responsibility and full transparency. With an all-volunteer team and minimal administrative costs, nearly every dollar goes directly to veteran programming.
Veteran Story
“I was in a dark place I couldn't seem to get out of. And this event with Send A Vet really helped change my life and reconnect with my brothers in arms.”
— John, U.S. Army Veteran
