A disabled Army veteran, who also is a cancer survivor, an author – and a woman — will be the keynote speaker at the Villagers for Veterans’ fourth annual Orchid Gala, Saturday, April 28. The dinner program features raffle items worth more than $200 each, and the musical performance of a Villages’ favorite band – Johnny Wild & The Delights.
Proceeds from the evening will support the organization’s efforts to build a house in The Villages for another disabled Army veteran – Pam Kelly.
The few remaining tickets for the 6 p.m. Savannah Center event are $50 each. They can be purchased at villagesforveterans.org or by calling Marie Bogdonoff at (516) 220-5068. Reservations for tables of eight also can be made.
“We want to continue to honor Pam and all women who have served their country,” Bogdonoff explained. “That is why we invited Jas Boothe to be our guest. She founded Last Salute, Inc. to ‘ensure that her fellow sister veterans have resources in their time of need.’”
Boothe had been a member of the Army Reserve when her unit was preparing to deploy to Iraq for operations Iraq Freedom and Enduring Freedom. But, Hurricane Katrina destroyed her New Orleans home. A month later, she was diagnosed with head, neck and throat cancer.
She faced discharge with no options for medical care and housing assistance for women veterans with children. After extensive treatment, however, Boothe was able to remain in the Reserve, and later returned to full-time duty with the Army National Guard.
Since establishing Last Salute, Inc. in 2010, Boothe has assisted more than 3,600 women veterans and children in 30 states and American territories.
“We hope our Orchid Gala continues to emphasize the problems women veterans must overcome,” said Bogdonoff.
“As importantly, we want our major ‘event of the season’ to provide enough funds to now purchase a house lot in The Villages’ historic section. Then, we can begin building. Pam already has maneuvered her wheelchair over The Villages’ Rte. 441 golf-cart bridge!”
