Marie Bogdonoff had an idea to help wounded women veterans and it all started with an unlikely flower.
The second annual “Indy Orchid Gala” will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday and bring a sell-out crowd to the Savannah Center. Jennifer Griffin of Fox News will speak at the event. The Street Talk music group will perform along with the Aloha ‘O Ka Hula dancers. All money raised will be used to help severely injured veterans. “Women play a big role in today’s military, including combat and I wanted to do something special for them,” said Bogdonoff, who volunteers for the Independence Fund and also Villagers for Veterans. “They have been hurt and suffered just like male veterans while serving their country.”
Bogdonoff knows a wounded female veteran named Connie Yurkus. She was wounded in combat and part of her therapy was raising orchids.
“Orchids are a very feminine flower, they’re often pink and you see them in weddings,” Bogdonoff said. “Many veterans events are symbolized by red, white and blue but we wanted this to be different to give attention to what these women are doing for their country.”
So, last year, with some inspiration and help from Yurkus, the Villages held the first “Indy (Independence Fund) Orchid Gala” and raised $12,500. “Now, we hope to raise even more,” Bogdonoff said.
This year, four injured women veterans will appear at the event.
Pam Kelly is a paralyzed Army veteran. She lost the use of both legs and her right arm in a military training accident.
That didn’t stop Kelly from winning 5 Gold Medals at the 2013 National Veterans Wheel Chair Games.
BriGette McCoy served in the Army from 1987-91.
She suffered a back injury and also MST (Military Sexual Trauma) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She was homeless with two children but eventually made her way back.
Today she is an advocate for women veterans and speaks throughout the country.
Leslie Nicole Smith is a retired Army Captain who, due to her service in Bosnia, lost a leg and is now legally blind.
She is an Ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation and also a spokesperson for the USO and is involved with other organizations to help veterans.
Shanda Taylor-Boyd served 23 years in the Army and her oldest daughter now serves in the Army. In 2008, Taylor Boyd was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. She now tours the country and is speaking out on issues for disabled veterans.