In May, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 and its Veterans Committee raised $10,000 for Southeastern Guide Dogs with a fundraiser dance. The fundraiser dollars were matched by the Heroes Council of Southeastern Guide Dogs, bringing the total donation to $20,000. The Heroes Council provides their trained dogs to veterans at no charge. This includes guide dogs, service dogs, facility therapy dogs, emotional support dogs and gold star family dogs. The check presentation was made at the Southeastern Guide Dogs facility in Palmetto, Fla., May 14.
Pictured at the Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge donation presentation to Southeastern Guide Dogs in Palmetto, Fla., May 14 are (back row) members Frank Iannello, Dennis Dobbratz and Tom Sweeney. In the front row are Sean Brown of the Heroes Council of Southeastern Guide Dogs and guide dog, Pella; members Sue Iannello, Ken Latham, Charlotte Madar, Mary Bilkie, and Chuck Stolteben; and Chad Bouton of the Heroes Council of Southeastern Guide Dogs and his guide dog, Andros.