TOKA'S FRIENDS
Service dogs for military veterans
Toka's Friends Annual Pig Roast
Sunday, September 29th, 1pm
847 Division Rd, Westport MA
Our annual pig roast event is a fun, casual event for us to gather with our family, friends, neighbors, veterans and donors to celebrate the end of the summer season. We don’t consider this to be a fundraising event – we simply want people to come and have a good time. But if you are so inclined, you can click the Donate button above …
Join us for an afternoon of music, games, great food and camaraderie. Arrive anytime after 1pm. The pig should be ready for eating around 4. Bring a lawn chair and your own beverages. If you would like to bring food to share, please coordinate with Kate so that we don’t have too much food.
We need a headcount so that we can roast an appropriately sized pig. If you think you might like to be here for the fun, please send a note to Kate either by text or email. Her phone number is 508-212-9787 and email is katehowd@gmail.com
We hope you can join us for the afternoon!
Fraternal Order of Eagles of Massachusetts presents Toka's Friends with generous donation
For the past 12 months, the Massachusetts Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles has been raising funds for Toka's Friends. Jim McCormack, the retiring State Worthy President, had chosen Toka's Friends as the nonprofit organization that FOE would support, with aeries around the state conducting fundraising events throughout the year. At the annual Massachusetts FOE convention, Toka's Friends was presented with a very generous check. We are so very for grateful to the Eagles, and especially Jim and Dee McCormack for recognizing the importance of helping our veterans.
Toka's Friends 3rd Annual Golf Tournament
Allendale Country Club in Dartmouth, MA was the locale for our 3rd annual golf tournament. 80 golfers and many volunteers and veterans came out on a beautiful Monday in June to play some golf, enjoy some camaraderie and raise money to help our veterans. An exciting addition to this year’s event was a free one-hour golf clinic for veterans, sponsored and run by PGA REACH New England, the 501c(3) charity of the New England PGA. Four PGA of America Professionals worked with local veterans on their short game prior to our 1pm shotgun start time for the golf fundraiser.
Thank you to our Bronze Star Sponsors
Buzzards Bay Eagles Canal Walk
Saturday, May 18th 10am - 4pm
The Massachusetts Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE) chose Toka’s Friends to be the 2024 benefitting charity for their yearly fundraising efforts. The Buzzards Bay Aerie holds an annual fundraising event called the Buzzards Bay Eagles Canal Walk. This year, on May 18th from 10am to 4pm the canal walk will raise funds for Toka’s Friends. We hope to see you there. Click here for more information.
Fraternal Order of Eagles of Massachusetts names Toka's Friends as benefitting charity
A chance encounter between Jim and Dee McCormack and Ian and Trish Forst and their service dog Lou has led to an incredible partnership between the Buzzards Bay Fraternal Order of Eagles and Toka's Friends. As President of the state FOE, Jim chose Toka's Friends to be the benefitting charity for all Massachusetts aeries of the FOE. We are incredibly grateful to Jim and Dee and the entire FOE organization for their generous support.
Toka's Friends Fall Pig Roast 2023
Despite wind swept rain, we managed to hold our annual Pig Roast on September 24th. We had over 60 supporters and veterans join us despite the weather. A good time was had by all! Special thanks to Tom Camara for securing a tent for the event!!
Introducing Chester
Named for famed and highly decorated Navy Admiral Chester Nimitz, this cute little guy joined the pack in October of 2023. Chester quickly picked up on basic obedience with Toka, Drew, Murph and Jesse showing him the ropes.
Introducing Jesse
We are honored to name one of our puppies to a true American hero who is near and dear to our hearts. Ensign Jesse Brown was one of the first African American Naval officers and pilots. He lost his life in Korea while providing air support to American troops trapped near the Chosin Reservoir. Posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Ensign Brown is the main figure in the recently released movie, Devotion. In June of 2023, we added this happy and intelligent little guy to the team. He will always be a reminder to us of the legacy of Jesse Brown.
2nd Annual Toka's Friends Golf Tournament
Acoaxet Club
Westport, Massachusetts
We had a beautiful day and lots of fun and camaraderie at our second Annual Toka's Friends Golf Tournament. Thank you so much to all of the participants, volunteers, sponsors and the Acoaxet Club for making the event a successful day.
Click here for more photos from the event
Special thanks to our photographer extraordinaire Fran Simeone
Thank you to our 2023 Golf Sponsors
Bronze Star Sponsors
Introducing Murph
This sweet and friendly little guy is named in honor of Lt. Michael P. Murphy ("Murph"), a Navy SEAL who received the Medal of Honor posthumously in 2007. Lt. Murphy was cited "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and above and beyond the call of duty as the leader of a special reconnaissance element with Naval Special Warfare task unit Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005." Murph joined the team in March of 2023 and is already showing signs of being a service dog worthy of his namesake.
Toka's Friends Fall Pig Roast 2022
On September 25, we held the first annual Toka's Friends Pig Roast. It is a tradition we hope to continue every year. We had over 80 people attend and were entertained by Retired Captain Jay Woelkers and his faithful companion and sidekick, Meah. A good time was had by all. Click here for photos from the event.
Toka's Friends First Annual Golf Tournament
Our first golf outing fundraiser on June 13, 2022 was an overwhelming success. We had perfect weather, a fabulous turnout and a good time was had by all. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, golfers and other supporters we were able to raise over $11,000 - all of which goes directly into the service dog program. Click here for photos from the event.