11 Year Old Boy Raises $30K for a Service Dog for a Veteran

  NANTUCKET, MA - 09/09/2016 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

Luke Stringer, 11 years old and in sixth grade at Cyrus Pierce Middle School on Nantucket gathered his brother and a small group of friends in early August with the goal of raising $30,000 for a service dog for a Veteran.  This Saturday night his dream of raising that money will be realized. 

Stringer will present his donation to Holiday for Heroes at their annual gala at the Nantucket Boys and Girls Club.  The event, hosted by political commentator Chris Matthews honors veterans and raises money for American Dream grants, awards, and scholarships, and underwrites annual Nantucket Holiday for Heroes experiences.  This year Holiday for Heroes launched their initiative Service Dogs for Heroes and BJ Ganem will announce and lead this effort.  Ganem, a former Marine wounded in Iraq will speak along with Cedric King former Army Ranger and Aaron Hale former Army EOD Team Leader.  All 3 men speak nationally sharing their stories of bravery and courage. 

The event raises over $250,000 annually for Holiday for Heroes programs and has an extensive live and silent auction.  Music Corps, a complete band of veterans who have overcome amazing challenges to play music together will provide the entertainment. 

For Stringer, the fundraising was a way to honor his grandfather who served in Vietnam and 3 cousins who served in the Marines, one of them severely wounded.  He organized two dog walks at Nantucket Land Banks Sanford Farm and charged donors $50 to walk their dog.  Many residents come forward and supported his efforts with generous donations, but three stand out.  A $10K check from local resident Lucille Hays, $1K from the Lenox, MA VFW where Stringer’s grandfather David Roche belongs, and the donation to the live auction of a guitar donated by James Taylor a family friend. 

There are limited tickets left for the Holidays for Heroes event Saturday September 10, 2016 at the Nantucket Boys and Girls Club.  Please visit www.holidaysforheroes.com for more information.