In memory of her husband, she has stepped forward to help military veterans in need.

LaRae Hlavaty is an official ambassador of the Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors Incorporated, an organization that raises money to help military veterans who have financial need.

Her husband Ron, of 48 years, had been an Army tank commander, Specialist 5th Class of the Armored Division – Old Ironsides stationed in Fort Hood, Texas while his brother served in Vietnam.

Ron died in 2020 after suffering anaphylactic shock from a hornet’s sting.

The late Major General Gerald Sajer and his wife, Helen founded Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors Inc. in 2006 to support and assist soldiers and their families returning home from deployment in Afghanistan and Iraq. Seventeen years have passed and PAWW has grown tremendously thanks to the generous support of Pennsylvanians and volunteers like Hlavaty.

“We are largely a word-of-mouth fundraising program,” she said.

The criteria for being eligible to the program’s assistance is to be a veteran and or a veteran’s family in financial crisis.

They must be a Pennsylvania resident for at least 12 months, served for at least a year, and received an honorable discharge.

PAWW will also assist veterans to help them recover from physical, mental, and emotional disabilities.

If a veteran or veteran’s family meets the requirements, he or she should contact a VA Medical Center, Hlavaty said.

“We contribute 96 cents out of every dollar right to the veterans. The four cents left over pays for post office materials,” said Hlavaty. “We’re Pennsylvania only and not to be mistaken for the Gary Sinese Foundation which is a national organization that also helps veterans in need.”

PAWW is a non- profit organization and through volunteers like LaRae who work the program, 1.3 million dollars was raised in 2021.

“Each year, Boscovs Department Store in Allentown permits us to set up a donation table with their Friends helping Friends program,” she said. “They offer 20% discounts on some of their store merchandise. Last year we collected over $1000 at the event to donate to the Camp Hill Treasury to assist the veterans.”

Asked why she and her partner, Karen Alboucq wanted to become volunteers for PAWW, the former Sacred Heart Hospital technician and Lehighton School District paraprofessional said, “After my husband passed, I wanted to give back to help support the veterans of which he had been one.

“Helen Sajer, the president of the organization, is a remarkable woman who believes that just one person can make a big difference in the lives of others.”

Ever since her husband died from a hornet’s sting, Hlavaty has another platform she would like to promote.

“I’m just one squeaky voice on Facebook trying to let others know the importance of having an EpiPen nearby in case they are allergic to bee stings.”

An EpiPen is an auto- injector that contains epinephrine, a medication that helps decrease the body’s allergic reactions by relaxing the muscles in the airway to make breathing easier.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that an average of 72 people in the United States die each year from hornet, wasp, and bee stings. For those who suspect they may have a bee allergy, they should consult their doctor for allergy testing and ask for a medical health review.

“Actually, my husband had been stung before. He didn’t think he was allergic so we didn’t know how bad it would be.”

LaRae Hlavaty has taken action on behalf of her loving husband for two lifesaving causes. She is one person making a difference in the lives of others.

For further information about the PAWW, check www.pawoundedwarriors.org.

Information about bee allergies and can be found on www.webmd.com.