Food + Drink
Guardian’s Haven Project to Host 2nd Annual Farm-to-Table Fundraiser Dinner
“Our mission is to honor the fallen by supporting the living.”
Guardian’s Haven Project, a nonprofit founded by Army National Guard combat veteran Erin Chism, will host its annual Farm-to-Table Dinner Fundraiser on Saturday, September 27, 2025, on the beautiful grounds of Homestead Farm in Warrenton. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. for self-guided tours of the farm’s botanical gardens and walking trails, with dinner served at approximately 6:30 p.m.
The evening will feature a locally sourced gourmet dinner, highlighting seasonal fruits, vegetables, and meats from farms in the community. Guests will enjoy local beer from Bragging Rooster, wine from Seven Springs Farm and Vineyard, live music by Haley Ellis and The Hundley Brothers, along with a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $50 per person and must be purchased in advance.
For tickets, click here.
ABOUT GUARDIAN’S HAVEN PROJECT
Guardian’s Haven Project was founded by Chism after serving in Afghanistan in 2012–2013 with the 514th Military Police Company, 60th Troop Command. During that deployment, the unit sustained multiple casualties, including SSG Donna Johnson, SGT Jeremy Hardison, and SGT Thomas J. Butler IV. Inspired by their sacrifice and motivated by the challenges veterans face accessing care through the VA, Chism created Guardian’s Haven Project to provide meaningful, trauma-informed support for veterans and first responders.
“Our mission is to honor the fallen by supporting the living,” said Chism. “Through trauma informed equine-assisted therapy, horticultural therapy, opportunities to learn self-sustaining skills, and camaraderie, Guardian’s Haven Project offers a place for healing, purpose, and community.”
Homestead Farm, the family property where Guardian’s Haven Project is based, has been transformed by Chism’s parents, Steven and Susan Bender, into a welcoming destination with gardens, trails, and gathering spaces. The farm is open to the public every Saturday and serves as the backdrop for the nonprofit’s programs and events.
