BY CHRISTINE PRICE
Gazette Newspapers
MENTOR – 100+ Women Who Care Lake County continued its mission of community support on Wednesday, Jan. 7, by presenting K9 Heroes 4 Heroes a check for $7,600 – a powerful reminder of what can happen when generosity is multiplied.
“As of today, 100+ Women Who Care has awarded more than $260,800 to nonprofit organizations throughout Lake County,” said Kathy Toderick, 100+ Women Who Care chapter president. “I am so proud of our outstanding group of women.”
One of the many organizations supported through the collective efforts of 100+ Women Who Care is K9 Heroes 4 Heroes, a nonprofit dedicated to providing highly-trained service dogs to veterans and first responders – at absolutely no cost to them.
These are men and women who have served on the front lines for the country and their communities. K9 Heroes 4 Heroes exists to ensure they receive life-changing support in return. Their motto captures the mission perfectly: “Heeling is Healing.”
“With a profound respect for every individual who has chosen to wear our nation’s uniform or serve their community, I created K9 Heroes 4 Heroes,” said Joe Gionti, K9 Heroes 4 Heroes founder and CEO. “Their sacrifices deserve more than gratitude. They deserve support that truly changes lives.”
Each service dog is carefully selected to meet the unique needs of its recipient.
The organization works with trusted breeders and trainers to ensure every dog is intelligent, eager to serve and capable of forming a deep bond with their handler.
From day one, the dogs are exposed to real-world scenarios, preparing them for the environments they’ll encounter alongside their partners.
While basic obedience is essential, these service dogs go far beyond that foundation.
They are trained to perform specialized tasks tailored to each individual’s needs, including behavior interruption, deep pressure therapy and retrieving essential items.
This individualized approach ensures that each dog becomes not just a companion, but a true lifeline.
To learn more about K9 Heroes 4 Heroes or to make a donation, visit www.k9heroes4heroes.com.
100+ Women Who Care Lake County meet quarterly with one simple goal: to make a meaningful impact in the community. Meetings are one hour long, run in a timed format with a preset agenda and conclude with the group selecting a local charitable organization to receive collective funding.
The group is always welcoming new members. Those interested in joining can learn more by visiting www.100womenlake.com.
