A newly formed organization in Chautauqua County is looking to help local veterans and veterans groups meet their needs.

The Warrior Relief Fund began meeting back in May, and their main goal is to help both veterans and other local or national groups that focus on veterans causes. Jeff Feinen, founder and president of the group, formed the nonprofit because he saw a need in the country to support, encourage and inspire veterans once they return from duty.

Past veterans, such as those from World War I, World War II and Vietnam, would flock to places like American Legions, VFWs and similar places to continue the sense of brotherhood and share stories, whereas younger veterans have become more reclusive, withdrawn and turn to other means to cope. The suicide rate among veterans is 22 a day on average, which is something that the Warrior Relief Fund is hoping to address.

“Our primary purpose is to fund veteran causes, both locally and nationally,” said Chris Sausaman, director and spokesperson for the group. “We are an open-minded group that works to meet any veteran’s needs out there, and we do this through fundraising and awareness events.”

Sausaman said events are to help raise funds for groups that need it; awareness events are for meeting with local veterans and finding out what local needs are.

Warrior Relief Fund’s first event will be a motorcycle fun run. The event takes place at Jamestown Harley-Davidson, 1951 E. Main St., Falconer, on Saturday. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the ride begins at noon. The ride will take participants on a scenic cruise through Salamanca, Springville and back to the VFW in Sheridan.

Sausaman said the event is to allow the group a way to be able to meet with many local veterans.

“A lot of vets ride motorcycles and I thought it would be a nice way to get bikers together with veterans and talk, learn their needs, and hopefully enjoy the summer weather,” Sausaman said. “It will be a meet and greet event where veterans can come and learn about us and we can learn what they may want to see from us as a veteran.”

The motorcycle fun run is a free event, and Sausaman encouraged the public to come and participate. All they have to do is show up with their motorcycle between 11 a.m. and noon to register.

The Warrior Relief Fund has collaborated with the PFC Joseph P Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project for Saturday event.

“In the future we hope to align ourselves with organizations that work to meet the needs of veterans and collaborate with them to meet the funds for those needs,” Sausaman said. “The PFC Joseph P Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project is one of those groups that does that. Actually, they just had a lady who needed to buy a bed and the group helped her do that.”

The Warrior Relief Fund has a fundraising event planned for Veterans Day in November at the Sheridan VFW. Between now and then, Sausaman encourages the community to buy raffle tickets that the group will be selling.

“Prizes will be cash or gift certificates that have been donated by people or businesses, and the drawing will happen at our Veterans Day event,” Sausaman said. “So, if people want to help the Warrior Relief Fund they can buy or sell or plan on attending our future fundraising events.”

For more information on the Warrior Relief Fund and to get involved, contact Jeff Feinen at 716-680-5461. For more information on the motorcycle fun run, Sausaman can be reached at 716-680-1665.