Third year of fundraising program brings Post 88’s total contributions to $20,000 to Clear Path for Veterans organization

By Jason Emerson

editor

For the third consecutive year, members of Cazenovia American Legion Post 88 have raised thousands of dollars and donated the funds to the local veterans’ support organization, Clear Path for Veterans in Chittenango, to aid a program that gives dogs to veterans suffering from mental and emotional distress.

Post 88 members this year sold hundreds of raffle tickets for a chance to win a foursome of golf at one of 18 different golf courses in the Central New York area. On Saturday, June 11, the raffle proceeds of $8,000 was donated to go toward the Dogs2Vets Program at Clear Path for Veterans, which is a program that allows military veterans suffering from PTS (Post Traumatic Stress) or MST (Military Sexual Trauma) to train their own dog either as a service dog or as a general companion. The purpose of the program is to give the veterans and the dogs companions whose unconditional love and support helps both, according to program information.

“This donation by the Cazenovia American Legion is one example of how important our community partners are. Without them, Clear Path would not exist. In 2015 alone, more than 13,000 Veterans, active military and their families were served by Clear Path. Without support from organizations like Post 88, we couldn’t do what we do,” said Clear Path Executive Director Melissa Spicer. “We applaud the efforts of the Cazenovia American Legion and are grateful it sees value in our mission and the Veterans who call this great state of New York home.”

Post 88’s donation will cover approximately eight months of training, adoption, crate, first bag of food, introductory veterinary expenses — spay/neuter and vaccines — and training equipment for one service dog, said Clear Path’s Dogs2Vets Program Director Kate Hannon. “So this generous donation will go a long way toward properly outfitting one of our veterans and their service dog,” she said.

This was the third year for the Post 88 golf raffle fundraiser. In 2014, the raffle raised $4,500, and awarded only one round of golf for four at Turning Stone. Last year, 10 courses, both public and private, participated in the raffle, and the part of the result was total ticket sales of $7,500. This year, the number of courses participating and the amount of funds raised both increased.

In the past three years, Post 88 has raised $20,000 for the Dogs2Vets program at Clear Path.

“We have found that selling these tickets not only raises money, but it also raises awareness of the problem and that there is some help out there for PTS and MST,” said raffle co-chair and Post 88 Vice Commander Gene Gissin. “The dogs give great relief to these veterans, and the people we talked to didn’t really know that. We also told the story of Clear Path and what they do — so we raised money and awareness through this.”

Clear Path’s mission is to offer veterans a clear path back into civilian life from the military, helping them assimilate back into society, said fundraiser co-chair John Haynes. “It’s a remarkable program, and they are touching lives in eight counties — it isn’t just local,” he said. “There’s a lot going on there, and we’re just glad to be a part of it … It’s a joy and a pleasure to do it.”

Participating golf courses in this year’s Post 88 golf raffle included Apple Creek Golf Club, Barker Brook Country Club, Beaver Meadows Golf Club, The Cavalry Club, Cazenovia Country Club, Cazenovia Golf Club, Kanon Valley Country Club, Pocono Manor Golf Club, Pompey Golf Club, Radisson Greens Golf Club, The Ridge, Rogues’ Boost Golf Club, Seven Oaks Golf Club, Timber Banks Golf Course, Turning Stone Resort, Tuscarora Golf Club, Vesper Hills Golf Club and Woodcrest Golf Club.

The winners of the raffle and the courses they chose were: Tracey Shults, of Skaneateles, Tuscarora Golf Club; Frank Stritter, of West Holden Beach, N.C., Turning Stone Resort and Golf; Jeremiah Rawson, of McGraw, Seven Oaks Golf Club; John Fazio, of Cicero, Beaver Meadows Golf Club; Nancy Barnett, of Syracuse, Cazenovia Golf Club – 9 hole; Jim Perry, Radisson Greens Golf Club; David Martin, of Cazenovia, Kanon Valley CC; Diane O’Donnell, of Cazenovia, Woodcrest Golf Club; Frank Gardner, of Tully, Cavalry Club; Andy Mahar, of Fayetteville, Cazenovia Country Club; Sal Giardina, of Cazenovia, Pompey Golf Club; Karie Ballway, of Erieville, Timber Banks Golf Course; Jack King, of Camillus, Vesper Hills Golf Club; George Darling, of Chittenango, Rogues’ Boost Golf Club; Ron Welsh, of Vestal, Apple Creek Golf Club; Theresa Rogers, of North Syracuse, The Ridge Golf Club; Eric Twiss, of Chittenango, Pocono Manor; and Peter Bobbette, of Chittenango, Barker Brook Golf Club.

Clear Path for Veterans is located at 1223 Salt Springs Road in Chittenango. For more information about Clear Path for Veterans and the Dogs2Vets Program, call 687-3300 or visit clearpath4vets.com.