Florida’s 16th District has raised more than $60,000 so far this year for two local service dog training and placement nonprofits.
American Legion Department of Florida 16th District Commander Eric Nestler has met veterans who utilize service dogs. He’s seen the impact the dog can make on the veteran’s life.
He also knows how expensive it is to train a service dog, which is why he is so proud of the efforts of his district to support local service dog trainers and providers.
Already in 2023, the 16th District American Legion Family has raised more than $60,000 for two nonprofits. Around $37,000 was presented recently at an American Legion Riders district meeting, but Nestler stressed that this kind of effort requires a complete Legion Family effort.
“This money came from the work that the Legion, the Riders, the Auxiliary and the Sons put in. It’s a combined effort,” said Nestler, a member of Post 46 in Tarpon Springs. “They are dedicated. The motivation, the enthusiasm, the caring. Everybody I talk to, I tell them, ‘People don’t care how much you know until you show them how much you care.’ And that’s why we’re here.”
So far this year, Legion Family members at Madeira Beach Post 273 have raised $25,000, while Post 173’s Legion Family in Holiday donated another $20,000. Nestler said Post 173 has provided 39 service dogs through its years of donations.
The two service dog programs the district supports are:
· K9 Partners for Patriots, which is based out of Brooksville, Fla., and is a professional service dog training for military veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and military sexual trauma (MST); and
· Palmetto, Fla.’s, Southeastern Guide Dogs, which provides elite guide dogs, service dogs, and skilled companion dogs for people with vision loss, veterans with disabilities, and children with significant challenges.
Nestler said both nonprofits have brought veterans utilizing their dogs to Legion Family meetings, which helps make the mission hit closer to home.
“These dogs (cost) like $10,000 each,” Nestler said. “But we see the impact they make. Raising this amount of money, it’s a blessing. It’s the whole reason why I’m doing what I do. I want to give back to the veterans and help the veterans. And the district believes in this program. They believe in the dogs.”
The two canine programs aren’t the only beneficiaries of the 16th District’s support. Last November, members of the districts Legion Riders and other Legion Family members made the 300-mile round trip to deliver around $70,000 in cash donations and other vital items to victims of Hurricane Ida living in Lake Placid. The district also has managed to land in first place in the department membership standings.
“(The district) is really pulling together,” Nestler said. “They know why we are here. We talk about it. It’s a blessing to see these amazing things. It’s a way of life. And I can tell you now that we won’t stop.”
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