Funds raised benefit disabled veterans through the “Pups4Patriots” program at American Humane, and South Florida youth through the Palm Beach County Food Bank’s “Lois’ Food4Kids” endeavor.

The “Pups4Patriots” program takes dogs languishing in shelters, provides them with specialized training, and then pairs them with disabled veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and traumatic brain injuries. To date, dozens of veterans have been given these life-transforming dogs, helping decrease the suicide rate among veterans from 24 to 17 a day, according to the latest Veterans Administration statistics

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“Lois’ Food4Kids” has been similarly life-changing. This year-round initiative provides underserved, disadvantaged children with nutritious meals when they are not in school, on weekends, during school holidays and in the summer. Since the program launched, more than 5,000 children have received backpacks filled with healthy foods on a weekly basis.