Post Commander Brian DeLong gets ready to draw a winning raffle ticket during the VETS Care charity event on June 1 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 764 in Peters.
Harry Funk | TribLive
U.S. Marine Corps veteran Craig Hodgkins is pictured with Foxy, his longtime service dog and constant companion, during the VETS Care charity event on June 1 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 764 in Peters. Craig and his daughter, Kristi Servey, performed music to open the day’s festivities.
Harry Funk | TribLive
Amy Conley (left) and Kristi Servey enjoy the festivities during the VETS Care charity event on June 1 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 764 in Peters. Kristi and her father, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Craig Hodgkins, provided the first musical performance of the day.
Harry Funk | TribLive
Jesse and Kelsey Kalpakis, with son Bryce, enjoy the festivities during the VETS Care charity event on June 1 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 764 in Peters.
Harry Funk | TribLive
Nick Heisler (left) and Theo Hubbard perform with the band Jasperillo during the VETS Care charity event on June 1 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 764 in Peters.
Harry Funk | TribLive
Andrew Brest (left) and Dylan Tritschler perform with the band Jasperillo during the VETS Care charity event on June 1 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 764 in Peters.
Harry Funk | TribLive
Rick Heisler watches the performance by Jasperillo during the VETS Care charity event on June 1 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 764 in Peters. Nick Heisler, his son, leads the band.
Harry Funk | TribLive
Dylan Hiles and Ana Padilla have a good time during the VETS Care charity event on June 1 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 764 in Peters.
Harry Funk | TribLive
Irene Xenakis puffs on a flavorful stick from Nicaragua during the VETS Care charity event on June 1 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 764 in Peters.
Harry Funk | TribLive
Peters Township High School students Ava Marghella (left) and Bella Ronquillo volunteer to sell 50/50 tickets during the VETS Care charity event on June 1 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 764.
Harry Funk | TribLive
Christine Moss watches the band Jasperillo perform during the VETS Care charity event on June 1 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 764 in Peters.
Harry Funk | TribLive
Kaylee Beck and Ethan Hall enjoy sunshine and music during the VETS Care charity event on June 1 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 764 in Peters.
Harry Funk | TribLive
Kathy Stone (left) and Karen Benton smile for a portrait during the VETS Care charity event on June 1 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 764 in Peters.
Harry Funk | TribLive
Hannah Berardino watches the band Jasperillo perform during the VETS Care charity event on June 1 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 764 in Peters.
Harry Funk | TribLive
Allison Herko (left) and Morgan Guarino enjoye the sunshine during the VETS Care charity event on June 1 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 764 in Peters.
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.
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