A recent benefit raised more than $18,000 for Clear Path for Veterans, allowing the program to provide service dogs to two vets.
According to Victory for Vets benefit coordinator Heather Graham, the Aug. 15 concert, the group’s second annual event, drew in about 800 attendees. She attributed the event’s success to increased advertising, an impressive lineup of bands and more than 65 baskets up for raffle.
“We were thrilled that everything ran very smoothly this year,” Graham said. “We were more organized and prepared compared to our first event. This year, we raised $18,710 for Clear Path for Veterans, which beat last year’s profits by over $2,000.”
The ultimate goal of Victory for Vets is to raise awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans. While PTSD can happen to anyone who has experienced trauma, it’s particularly common in veterans;.
Graham, whose son is in the military, said Victory for Vets aims to recognize the men and women who have given of themselves to serve their country.
“Victory for Vets is strongly committed to giving back to our veterans who have sacrificed and given so much of themselves to protect our freedoms,” she said. “We truly believe that the men and women who devoted their lives to this country deserve to have every possible support system available to assist them in living normal productive lives. Our mission is to create awareness among the community of the needs these veterans have while at the same time raising much needed funds to support organizations that are currently providing assistance to veterans and their families in our local community.”
In order to help vets suffering from PTSD, Victory for Vets held its first benefit concert last August. Proceeds went to Clear Path for Veterans in Chittenango, which provides support for returning veterans, including peer-to-peer support, classes, service dogs and more. Organizer Rick Carlesco’s cousin, a tech sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, is a volunteer there. The inaugural event raised $16,000.
All of the proceeds go towards Clear Path’s Dogs2Vets program. The goal of the program is for an accepted veteran who suspects he or she has PTSD or who has experienced military sexual trauma to train his or her own dog to become a service dog. The Dogs2Vets program costs about $8,000 per vet. The program is especially therapeutic to vets with PTSD.
“Victory For Vets specifically focuses on supporting the Dogs2Vets Program because we understand what a difference these dogs can make in the lives of vets who struggle with the effects of PTSD allowing them the ability to lead a more normal, productive lives in society,” Graham said.
Planning for next year’s event, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, is already underway. If you are interested in donating or sponsoring the event, visit victory4vets.com or contact Graham at [email protected] or 506-8304.
