PAXTON \u2014 The Paxton American Legion has been busy with fundraisers. Those efforts culminated in the collection of $3,500 toward training support dogs through NEADS.<\/p>\n
For their contribution, the Legion earned the honor of naming a puppy, but the impact goes far beyond the names submitted, which themselves are important.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose funds allow the Paxton Legion veterans to name six puppies (three girls and three boys) to be trained as support dogs, in hopes of passing the strict requirements to be given to a veteran in need of a support dog,\u201d Grace Conner of the Legion said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe names that were chosen were in honor of six military members from Massachusetts who gave their lives while serving,\u201d Conner added.<\/p>\n
The Paxton Legion got involved with the effort and carried it through to help veterans.<\/p>\n
\u201cA Legion member is friends with a veteran who has a NEADS Service Dog and was told about the Name a Puppy Program, which is one of NEADS\u2019 programs available for the community to help raise funds for NEADS,\u201d Legion member Susan McCormick said.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe had seen how the service dog had helped her friend, and he had told her about NEADS\u2019 mission and everything that goes into training one dog there,\u201d McCormick said.<\/p>\n
From there, the Legion took on the fundraising campaign for the Name a Puppy Program.<\/p>\n
The members came together for several fundraisers supported by people locally.<\/p>\n
The Legion had a busy October, with an Oktoberfest\/Craft Fair where all of the money raised from the food sold, craft tables rented and raffles went toward the fundraising campaign. That was followed by a comedy show benefiting the NEADS fundraiser.<\/p>\n
And small donations through the year added up.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring our summer barbecues, and at our town holiday event, we had a collection jar out with informational leaflets about NEADS and our fundraising campaign,\u201d McCormick said.<\/p>\n
The Legion\u2019s donation helps NEADS raise and train a future service dog or breeder dog.<\/p>\n
\u201cService dogs provide increased independence and connection for people in need. Breeder dogs contribute to the next generation of World Class Service Dogs,\u201d McCormick said.<\/p>\n
With the $3,500, the Paxton Legion was able to submit three female and three male names for NEADS to consider, and they will pick a name from the list to use for a puppy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were happy to be able to help the NEADS organization,\u201d McCormick said. \u201cThey have been helping provide service dogs to civilians and veterans across the United States for 45 years, and each NEADS Service Dog makes a profound difference in someone\u2019s life. The dogs open the world back up to the veteran who may be shut down in their home, they provide physical help where the veteran may not be able to do tasks for themselves, and for some, the unconditional love of the dog and selfless dedication to the veteran could be life-saving.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Legion chose the following names of service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country overseas, to be considered for the support dog their donation goes toward training: \u201cRosie\u201d for Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo; \u201cJenny\u201d for Capt. Jennifer J. Harris, U.S. Marine Corps; \u201cFran\u201d for Lt. Frances Slanger, U.S. Army; \u201cJared\u201d for Sgt. First Class Jared C. Monti, U.S. Army; \u201cRalphie\u201d for Private First Class Ralph Russell Berg, U.S. Marine Corps; and \u201cKelley\u201d for Sgt. Michael J. Kelley, U.S. Army National Guard.<\/p>\n
The efforts toward more support dog training will continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are hoping to participate in the Pulling 4 Paws on April 23,\u201d McCormick said. \u201cWe\u2019re building a team for it now, and hope to have all 15 team members signed up by the end of the month.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Pulling 4 Paws Truck Pull is on Sunday, April 23, at Polar Park in Worcester. It is a day of music, food, tours of the park, games for the kids and a big truck to pull for charity. The Legion will have a $2,500 fundraising goal for that event.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Legion wants to thank the community for continuing to support us with all of our events throughout the year,\u201d McCormick said. \u201cWe strive to help our community programs like NEADS, and we would not be able to do any of it without the support from those who visit our events.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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