It took a few months, but Villagers for Veterans came through for Pam Kelly.
The group, headed by Marie Bogdonoff, just announced it raised the $10,000 needed to pay for a service dog for Sgt. Kelly.
Pam Kelly, 51, served as an Army medic for 17 years until a training accident crushed her spine and severely injured her head and shoulders. She is a quadriplegic and has some mobility in her left arm.
Villagers for Veterans has been raising money for Kelly all summer. Finally, this week, it reached the goal. Kelly has been trying to get a service dog for years.
“It’s heart-warming and wonderful that so many people in The Villages want to help me,” Kelly said at a fund-raiser here in August, called “Paws for a hero.”
Bogdonoff praised all the groups and individuals who came together to help Kelly. She singled out Fred Karimipour, owner of Evans Prairie Country Club, for helping the group’s fundraising effort go over the top. Money will be used for the dog, and also training for Kelly with the animal.
“This means so much for Pam,” Bogdonoff said. “We wanted her to have this dog and after what she did for our country, she deserves it.”
