Youth Raises Funds for Vet Dogs

Young Elmont resident J.P. Iacona made Bill Urianek a promise: to raise $1,000 for by his May 13 birthday. He ended up raising $4,500.

Together with Iacona, Urianek presented a large novelty check in the amount the 12 year old boy had raised along with $500 he collected in the form of bottles and cans, another $200 donated from the and another check from the club president at Wednesday night’s meeting of the at the .

Accepting the checks was Christina McDonough of the Vet Dogs of America.

“I hope that by you allowing us here tonight that it helps spread the word that we need more and more support like this to help reach out to the veterans of all eras that we help provide with dogs to help get back their dignity and independence and row and get their lives back on track again,” McDonough said.

The aide dogs are provided free of charge by the agency to needy veterans and cost over $50,000 per dog per person.

Iacona also presented a plaque to Urianek and American Legion Commander Sal Cataldo, “two courageous individuals... in recognition of their service then and now from serving in the armed forces to their efforts to better their community in which they live,” he said, reading the inscription from the plaque.

“I’m really surprised,” Cataldo said after receiving the plaque.