Odd Fellows Lodge to present PA Dogs for Veterans program
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 1030 in Charleroi is hosting an event to showcase the efforts of PA Dogs for Veterans (Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans) at 7 p.m. May 1 at First Christian Church, 61 Walnut Ridge Road, Charleroi.
The event is free and open to the public.
Dennis Caldwell, post grand noble, said the fraternal organization has donated $1,000 to PA Dogs for Veterans, an all-volunteer, Pittsburgh-based nonprofit. The organization provides service dogs to veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, emotional or mobility issues, and other injuries.
“They train dogs to help veterans,” Caldwell said. “They will put on a program to demonstrate how they train the dogs. This helps to get the word out and bring awareness to what they’re doing. We thought it would be a nice program for the public.”
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a fraternal organization founded more than 200 years ago in England upon the principles of friendship, love and truth.
“We donate to people in need,” Caldwell said. “That’s what we’re all about – giving. We’ve even donated to people who have had deaths (in the family) and needed a GoFundMe account for funeral expenses.”
The organization also provides scholarships to seniors at Charleroi Area High School, with five $1,000 scholarships being awarded this year.