Marilyn Kopke, Fundraising coordinator and Rhonda Knudson, President (in back) and Betty Schneider, treasurer, Renee Johnson, Leadership coordinator, Marcia Johnson, president-elect and Mary Cramer, PIFF representative attend the leadership and Learning Summit in Wichita August 25. Over 100 Pilot members from Ks-Mo ans Ark-Ok attended the workshop.
At the Summit Marilyn Kopke and Marcia Johnson sell changes on 2 table runners made by Lynette Blakeslee and Billie Bonomo and sell Microwave bowl cozies (cut out by Pilot members & sewed by Billie Bonomo.
13 Members of the Midwest Battle Buddies, Inc.brought their service dogs to our meeting and explained their program and how it impacted the lives of these veterans. One member demonstrated how his dog followed commands and how he helped him get to his feet after he was on the ground.
Midwest Battle Buddies is an organization that is dedicated to providing service dogs and training to Veterans of the US military who suffer from PTSD, TBI and other service related ailments. The Battle Buddies focus on reducing the number of suicides ( about 23 per day) and help to reduce the drugs necessary by using service dogs.