Local man donates $2M for veterans program at The Wilds

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- The Wilds held a ground-breaking event Wednesday afternoon for a new veterans program.

World War II veteran and Zanesville resident, J.W. Bill Straker donated $2 million dollars to The Wilds in Muskingum County for the program.

The donation will be used to construct seven cabins and a lodge to create a retreat for veterans battling post-combat stress. Straker’s primary aim in making the donation is to provide The Mighty Oaks Warrior Program it’s first location Ohio, and in the Midwest.

Straker’s daughter and president of the J.W. and M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation, Susan Holdren, said her father has a soft spot for veterans.

“He just felt this would be a program that would be so beneficial to not only veterans, but to The Wilds. He really sees it as a win-win for our area [and] for Muskingum County in general,” said Holdren.

The Wilds brings in about 120,000 visitors a year. Zanesville Mayor, Jeff Tilton said he thinks it’s a great idea.

“The Straker family coming forth and doing this for not only our community but for many communities,” said Tilton.

The Mighty Oaks Warrior Program was created as a response to the reported suicide rate of 23 deaths per day. The program is currently hosted in California, Texas, Virginia, Montana and Oklahoma.

“The veterans gave for us, so for us to give back to them and have a place for them to come and be themselves [is great],” said Tilton.

The Wilds expects the new accommodations to be available by Spring of 2018.