Photo: © 2008 Mike Shampanier (Left to Right) Cathy Carilli, founder of The Tower of Hope, Susan Downes (combat-wounded veteran) and her service dog Lila, and Bob Miner from BrightHeart Veterinary Centers (a TOH sponsor).

Tower of Hope's Lighting the Path Gala Raises Funds to Train Service Dogs for Combat-Wounded Veterans

• 2nd Annual Fund Raising Event Honored David L. Helfet, MD and Melissa J. Nixon, DVM
• Event Emceed by Bill Ritter, ABC-TV News Correspondent
• Annette de la Renta, Maj. Rebecca Gimenez, Nancy Kissinger and Dr. Paul Pion Served as Fund Raising Co-Chairs

The Tower of Hope's second annual "Lighting the Path" gala was held on Thursday, April 3rd at the Broad Street Ballroom. The event raised nearly $300,000, which will be used to pay for the training of service animals for wounded veterans, helping them to lead happier and more independent lives 

Photo: © 2008 Carolyn McKay (Left to Right) Mica Ertegun, Dr. David Helfet (honoree), Kelly Helfet, Oscar de la Renta

This year's event honored David L. Helfet, MD, Director, Orthopedic Trauma Service, Hospital for Special Surgery. Dr. Henry Kissinger presented the "Thomas E. Sinton Humanitarian Award" to Dr. Helfet.  Also honored was Melissa J. Nixon, DVM, a 20-year community volunteer, a leading authority on animal rescue, and service dog partner to Thor, who received the "Beacon of Light" award. Bill Ritter, WABC-TV news correspondent was the emcee. Annette de la Renta, Maj. Rebecca Gimenez, Nancy Kissinger, and Dr. Paul Pion acted as co-chairs for the festive event which attracted over 200 attendees.

Susan Downes, her service dog Lila (whose training was sponsored by The Tower of Hope), and her family also attended. Ms. Downes is a double leg amputee who was injured while serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. During the award presentations, she spoke about the difference having a service dog has made in her life. Besides being a best friend, service dogs provide balance when walking, climbing, descending stairs, or just getting up from a sitting or supine position. The dogs also help their owners by picking up and retrieving items, opening doors, pulling manual wheelchairs a short distance and turning lights on and off, among other important daily tasks.

The gala was held at the Broad Street Ballroom, 41 Broad Street, Manhattan. A cocktail hour, hors d'oeuvres reception, food and wine tastings by Terlato Vineyards, Ketel One, and Iron City Brewing, and silent and live auctions were featured.

The evening's sponsors were: BrightHeart Veterinary Centers, the Henry Kissinger Foundation, Iron City Brewing Company, and John and Robin Klein.

More Photos from the Event.