Supporting Our Western New York Veterans

The newest member of our team is Blue Star Mom, Ms. Diane Gilbert. When Diane isn’t giving others opportunities to volunteer with us, she’s working as an administrative support assistant at the US Army Corps of Engineers. Prior to that, Diane was a family readiness support assistant with the 98th Div. and 301st regional support group of the Army Reserve. She has three sons. Son, Brett Johnson is a senior NCO in the Civil Engineering squadron of the 107th Attack Wing of the NY Air National Guard. Diane enjoys camping, fishing, stock car racing, music and of course, volunteering. Welcome aboard Diane!!

Paul served eight years in the Marine Corps and two more in the Army in the military police. As a result of his time in Iraq, Paul has worked through anxiety, high blood pressure, and other effects of post-traumatic stress.
“This program has brought me to a different level where I feel that…I don’t have to gamble with medications that would have a negative effect…” “Without [Pawsitive for Heroes] I would have been helpless getting a service dog because of the financial aspects…” “Within a week or two, I was off medication and my blood pressure was back to normal”. “I couldn’t do it without WNY Heroes.” Today, Paul constantly gives back by donating his time and effort to the Pawsitve for Heroes program. Paul’s service dog is a labrador / pitbull mix.

After supporting Children’s Hospital, WNYHeroes was grateful to attend this year’s Buffalo Makers’ Faire and let more people know about all the great things we do. Believe it or not, R2 wasn’t aware that about 80% of all donations go to helping local veterans. Many thanks to Mr. Bill Rider at the Park School for the free table space.

May 12th saw WNYHeroes lead the way during the superhero walk to benefit the Oshei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo. Mother nature helped out by stopping the rain in time for our volunteers to stand by at checkpoints, while board members and staff walked the short route. The best part was seeing all the young patients waving to the marchers from their rooms far above with their handmade signs, thanking all involved in the walk for thinking of them. The walk also provided another example of how properly trained service dogs from our Pawsitive for Heroes program, made participating that much easier for those who’ve served.