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A local veteran organization will host an event to celebrate the halfway point to a popular Irish holiday, while raising money to assist those who served.
The American Legion Riders Chapter 90 will put on its third annual Halfway to St. Patrick's Day on Sept. 13 from 4 to 8 p.m. at American Legion Post 90 in Cape Coral. Tickets are $20 and includes Irish staples including corned beef and cabbage sandwiches and shepherd's pie. There will be live entertainment as well, featuring the Kellyn Celtic Dancers, and Buddy Smith singing authentic Irish tunes.
Chapter 90 Secretary Laurene Allen-Flower, as well as her husband, are from New York and have Irish heritage. The pair wanted to put on a halfway to St. Patrick's Day event down in Southwest Florida as they have up in the northeast, as well as continue to raise cause for a mission they support year-round.
The ALR Chapter 90 fundraisers for Project: VetRelief, a non-profit that aims to end veteran suicide and assists service members at no cost. Project: VetRelief assists veterans with unemployment, homelessness, poverty, difficulties accessing benefits, and feelings of isolation. The non-profit also can provide service members with immediate financial assistance when dealing with a life emergency.
"Our big events are for Project: VetRelief Suicide Prevention Initiative, because we're at more than 22 (veteran suicides) per-day, which is unacceptable," Allen-Flower said.
Earlier this year, ALR organized a five-day ride throughout Florida called the Unity Tour that raised nearly $500,000 for the organization and help end veteran suicide.
Allen-Flower and members spend their time cooking and preparing entertainment each year for this event.
"I make the shepherd's pie and corned beef -- it's just a really fun event and something great to raise money for," she said. "As with St. Patrick's Day, on halfway to St. Patrick's Day, everybody's Irish. People are blown away by the Kellyn Celtic Dancers, and Buddy Smith has been singing Irish songs for over twenty years here in Southwest Florida. It's just a fun way to raise money and do something different."The event also includes door prizes, 50/50 raffles, and drink specials.
Organizers ask those who will attend to RSVP by stopping by American Legion Post 90, or calling 845-238-4723.