More than 100 supporters packed the ballroom at Benvenuto restaurant for the 12th annual Forgotten Soldiers Outreach Heroes Toast, the nonprofit’s largest fundraising luncheon of the year. WPTV anchor and Navy veteran Mike Trim served as emcee.
The money helps pay for care packages assembled at the group’s headquarters in Lake Worth Beach. Each package is stuffed with snacks, toiletries and handwritten notes from home, and the organization sends them to service members around the world.
Founder Lynelle Zelnar said requests for morale boosts have increased. Recent extended deployments in the Middle East and other assignments have made the group’s work more urgent, she said.
Board member LeeAnne LeBanz said feedback from troops has been strong during the organization’s 23 years of operation. She said the packages matter most to the recipients, who are thrilled to receive them and to know people are thinking of them.
A virtual auction linked to the Heroes Toast is still open for bids, and all proceeds support the mission. Details on the auction and donations are available at forgottensoldiers.org.
