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BRADENTON – The Junior League of Sarasota and the Junior League of Manatee County have presented a $10,883 check to Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc., for their Paws for Patriots program. The event began at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 12, at the guide dog campus in Palmetto.
Southeastern Guide Dogs was selected as the Beneficiary Partner of the Nov. 7, 2013 Legacy of Valor Celebration Luncheon, an event organized by the two Junior Leagues as part of the Legacy of Valor, a campaign created by The Patterson Foundation to honor veterans and their families in Southwest Florida.
Because of generous community support the celebratory luncheon, while not a fundraiser, netted nearly $11,000 in surplus funds. These monies will be donated specifically for the Paws for Patriots program.
Marjorie Singer, donor relations manager at Southeastern Guide Dogs said, “We are delighted to have been selected as the Legacy of Valor’s Celebration Luncheon Beneficiary Partner. We are proud to assist our returning soldiers as they come home. These funds will help us continue Southeastern’s important work.”
Palmetto-based Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, providing guide dogs to people with visual impairment since 1982. The Paws for Patriots program was developed to serve active-duty soldiers and retired servicemen and women who are visually impaired, may be suffering from post-traumatic stress, or are healing in military hospitals.
Paws for Patriots has three distinct programs to assist veterans. The Guide Dogs program provides dogs for heroic servicemen and women who have lost their vision in conflicts abroad. An impeccably trained guide dog helps them heal with dignity and develop an independent lifestyle. Veterans benefit from 26 days of residential training, gaining confidence and navigating the world with the borrowed eyes of a faithful new friend. Veterans receive lifetime follow-up and support through this program. Paws for Patriots Veteran Service Dogs are provided to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress. With the help of a service dog, these individuals build the confidence needed to regain mobility and the ability to re-integrate into their communities. Facility Therapy Dogs are placed into military hospitals, spreading cheer and encouragement to wounded warriors, ultimately becoming an integral part of the healing process.
About Legacy of Valor
Legacy of Valor is a campaign that rallies our community to honor veterans, inspire patriotism and embrace freedom. A mosaic of community-driven partnerships will educate, build enthusiasm and focus the community to use time, talent and treasure to recognize the service and sacrifice of all veterans throughout the campaign and beyond. For more information, please visit www.freedompassiton.org.
About The Junior League of Sarasota and The Junior League of Manatee County
Each Junior League belongs to the Association of Junior Leagues International. We are an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Our purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
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