Community News

Purple Heart Pups raises funds for vets

Posted Thursday, May 12, 2011 11:06 am

Purple Heart Pups founder Lisa Siano greeted walkers before the start of the event.

Ron Manfredi/Herald

Trainer and team manager Ed Hajek, left, with his Bloodhound Baxter, are a certified tracking team for Long Island Search and Rescue. They were among the attendees at the event. Anagnostopoulis, right, stopped by to say hello.

Ron Manfredi/Herald

Eric and Laurei Buscemi of Freeport walked with their St. Bernard, Champ.

Ron Manfredi/Herald

South Merrick Civic Association President Joe Baker with Bellmore Lions past President John Scalesi and Timber.

Ron Manfredi/Herald

Mia Scarfowle and her pooch were among the participants in the Purple Heart Pups event.

Ron Manfredi/Herald

By David Weingrad and Lee Landor

Purple Heart Pups, a fundraiser founded by Merrick resident Lisa Siano along with the Merrick Lions Club, joined the National Amputation Foundation, a Malverne-based nonprofit that aids amputee veterans, on May 7 for a 3K walk to raise funds for veterans.

More than 500 people and dogs took part in the walk at the Four Towns Firefighter Training Center in Merrick. The event, which was held for the second consecutive year, featured musical performances, raffles, vendors, a dog show and a special appearance by the Long Island Search and Rescue team, which did a demonstration with their trained bloodhounds.

The event raised over $8,000. “It was phenomenal,” said Audrey Shapiro, secretary for the Merrick Lions. “We had twice as many people that showed up as last year.”

If you would like to make a donation to the Purple Heart Pups, visit purpleheartpups.org.

Comments about this story? DWeingrad@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.

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Purple Heart Pups raises funds for vets

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