A yearly fundraiser on behalf of veterans and active members of the military continues to be a success.
The VETS Care charity event, held on the sunny afternoon of June 1 in Peters Township, exceeded its $50,000 goal. Organizer Bri Hall of North Strabane reported the proceeds will be divided equally between:
• Pittsburgh Fisher House, a 10-bedroom home away from home for visiting families to stay, free of charge, while their loved ones receive inpatient medical care at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.
• SoldierStrong, a Connecticut-based nonprofit with the mission of improving the lives of the men and the women of the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Inc., which provides specially trained dogs for people struggling with disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders and mobility issues. Guardian Angels, based in Florida, plans to build a campus in Washington County.
Since Hall organized the first such fundraiser in 2021, the events have generated more than $220,000, she said.
The 2024 event took place at Veterans of Foreign Memorial Post 764, featuring plenty of food and beverages, drawings and raffles, and performances by musicians.
Marine Corps veteran Craig Hodgkins, who has a constant Guardian Angels companion in Foxy, joined his daughter, Kristi Servey, onstage to start the music. In honor of his dog, they called themselves Foxy’s Moxy.
Other performances were by the J. Craiger Band, Jasperillo and Jake Thomas. Further helping with the fundraiser was a motorcycle run by Fire & Iron MC Station 47.
