SAN MARTIN, Calif., July 25, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Operation Freedom Paws will host its annual OFP Paws with Patriots Wine Gala on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 5:00 PM at the OFP Canine Education Center in San Martin, CA. The Gala will include dinner, wine, live music and an auction. All proceeds will benefit Operation Freedom Paws’ mission of empowering veterans and others with disabilities to restore their own independence. The special guest is Golden Globe Award winning actress Jane Lynch. Lynch has enjoyed a successful career in acting with major roles in Glee, Wreck-It Ralph, Best in Show, and more. Along with Jane Lynch, KBAY 94.5 FM’s Jona Denz-Hamilton will be in attendance. Jona is known in the South Bay community for her lively on-air personality.
“I met Mary when I presented her story for CNN Heroes and am thrilled to be attending this year’s Wine Gala. Her dedication to her fellow veterans is inspiring. There's nothing more beautiful to behold than the connection she facilitates between veteran and dog,” says Jane Lynch. Jane’s history with the nonprofit dates back to the time she spent with OFP’s President and Executive Director of Operations, Mary Cortani, as her partner in the CNN Heroes program where Cortani was named a 2012 “Top 10 Hero”.
With roughly one in five veterans suffering from PTSD, Operation Freedom Paws helps clients create a new normal for themselves and their families as they return from war and conflict. Mary matches veterans with service dogs in need of training, which helps give them a renewed sense of purpose. "Service dogs are but one tool, but they're a very important tool, in the healing process for our veterans," says Mary Cortani. For Mary, the greatest reward in life is the ability to help others.
Sponsorships, tickets, and VIP tables are now available; for more information, please call (408) 683-9010 or visit https://ofpwinegala.eventbrite.com/. In lieu of attendance, donations are welcome at http://operationfreedompaws.org/.