On a rainy July 4, 2013 in Columbus, CDR Michael Collins of American Legion Post 250 drew the winning ticket for Service Animal Project’s (SAP’s) custom-painted rocking chair raffle that ran during May and June.

The raffle served as a fundraiser for SAP, a group of Foothills Humane Society (FHS) volunteers that identifies local shelter and rescue dogs suitable to be service dogs, and transports them to Florida to receive specialized training to become service animals for warriors and veterans with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries.

The winner of the chair was Heidi Trim, a sales service specialist at the Bank of America branch in Tryon.
But when SAP founding members Ann Goodheart and Sev Bennett went to the bank to present Trim with her prize, she and her colleagues had a surprise of their own.

Trim is donating the chair back to SAP, and Bank of America in Tryon is going to hold a silent auction for the chair starting Aug. 1. The highest bidder will be announced and awarded the chair on Sept. 11. All funds from the silent auction will be donated to SAP.  The bidding begins at $250 and will increase by increments of $25.

So for those who bought a raffle ticket and were hoping to win the chair, here’s another chance. The chair will be on display at Bank of America in Tryon until Sept. 11.

The chair was painted and donated by local artist (and SAP foster) Peggie Armstrong. Armstrong is a decorative artist living and working in Green Creek.

Essentially self-taught, she has attended classes in Florida and Las Vegas to enhance her detail techniques.

Many charitable organizations have benefited from Armstrong’s talent and generosity with auctions and raffles that have raised as much as $2,000 for one donated piece.  Her imagination is limitless in the creation of whimsically-themed rocking chairs and other small pieces.

On Armstrong’s website you will find photos of Beach Chair, Porch Chair, Garden Rocker and Four Seasons Chair. Go to www.picturetrail.com/mimiartist to view an extensive collection of Peggie Armstrong original designs.

Come by the Tryon branch of Bank of America and help them raise even more funds for this worthy cause. You can also donate to SAP directly by making your checks payable to “FHS Service Animal Project” and mail them to FHS, P.O. Box 126, Tryon, N.C. 28782.

– article submitted by Sev Bennett