The group, known for their philanthropic efforts, were named the AMVETS National Auxiliary of the Year.
AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary 44, Plant City, was recognized with three awards at the annual AMVETS Auxiliary National Convention, held August 6 through 10 in Springfield, Illinois.
The service organization, known for their philanthropic efforts in the community, won the AMVETS National Auxiliary of the Year, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an auxiliary group. In addition, they also received the AMVETS Community Service Award and the AMVETS National Auxiliary Americanism Service Award.
For Christy Layton, AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary 44 past-president, the recognition of the group’s active members, who have solicited hundreds of raffle and auction items and attended and supported the numerous events they host every month to raise money for a variety of organizations, is well-deserved. “I could not be more proud of this amazing group of ladies who have worked so hard over the years to make the awards possible,” she said. “Cindy Flowers and Patti Alley were also instrumental in helping us win the Community Service Award and the Americanism Service Award. They’re really impressive ladies.”
For the last three years, the auxiliary, made up of approximately 130 dedicated women, has raised between $90,000-$100,000 annually, money is then donated to a variety of charitable causes, from hosting backpack drives for schoolchildren to providing scholarships to local teens, to supporting non-profits such as Relay for Life, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, James A Haley VA Hospital, Mission 22, Chad’s Promise and more.
Last year, the group donated $15,000 to K9 Partners for Patriots, money used to sponsor a veteran and a dog through a 25-week Service Dog Training Program and the necessary gear.
Mary Peter, founder of K9 Partners for Patriots, said that donation made a large impact in the life of the veteran, who builds a bond with his service dog, typically a rescue animal from a local shelter, who becomes a loyal companion, providing a reassuring nudge during a nightmare, offering a comforting presence in the midst of a panic attack or retrieving items for veterans with mobility issues.
K9 Partners for Patriots currently has 762 active veterans in their program with 434 graduates of the training program. They’ve rescued 265 dogs from shelters.
“They made a big difference in the life of that veteran, in his home life and what he’s able to do, as well as in the life of the rescue dog, so they saved two lives,” she said. “We love Post 44, they’re awesome people and nobody deserves the recognition more.”
The AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary 44 also brought home several awards from the AMVETS Department of Florida this year, including the AMVETS Department of Florida Auxiliary of the Year Service Award and the PDP Joanna Henson Memorial Service Award. Members Tammie Strong, Cindy Flowers, Patti Alley, Stephanie Gallant and Donna Olivieri also won individual awards.
“Without the community supporting the AMVETS we couldn’t have been as successful as we were,” Layton said. “To all the families and businesses that supported us with sponsorships and donations, without you we couldn’t have made this happen.”
While the accolades are appreciated, the real prize lies in the community that is built as the service is rendered. “We’ve become a family as we’ve served together over the years,” said Layton.
That family doesn’t intend to slow down anytime soon. “We’re going to continue to work hard to support our community,” said current president Laura Alberta.
For more information about AMVETS Post 44 and their upcoming events visit www.amvetspost44.org.
