To the Editor:

Earlier this year, the Helderberg American Legion Riders held our Annual Poker Run to raise money to assist area veterans, veteran programs, and the community. We are proud announce that we have begun to distribute some of the money raised through effort.

On Oct. 17, we presented a check for $3,200 to the Victoria Acres Equine Facility to cover the costs associated with providing an eight-week equine program to area veterans who are suffering the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of their military service.

About 20 ALR members rode to the facility on Route 20 in Altamont to present the check. Many of us had the opportunity to meet with the staff of the programs and with several veterans who already completed the program. It was very gratifying to hear firsthand that the program was a big success for those who had been through it.

On Nov. 3, Paul DuBois, president of Mountains to Miracles Veterans Foundation, was presented a check for $3,000 for the Woofs for Warriors program, which is a part of his foundation.

This money will be used to purchase six service dogs that will be trained to assist veterans with PTSD and other mental disorders. Mr. DuBois was presented the check at our monthly meeting and was very humbled by our generosity.

In addition to the above, we would like to announce that our bottle drive at the Altamont American Legion post has raised another $1,200 to be donated to the Leatherstocking Honor Flight in the near future; the program flies veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the monuments there.

We would like to thank the community for continuing to support our bottle drive.

Al Gaige, treasurer

Helderberg American Legion Riders