Southern Cross hosting event to help provide service dogs for veterans

Southern Cross Service Dogs will host the second annual Always Beside You Celebrity Golf Tournament and Gala Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4, at Waldorf Astoria Orlando. 

The event, which started in 2023, aims to help raise funds to provide service dogs for veterans in need. More than 500 attendees supported the event in its first year.

Attendees will have multiple opportunities throughout the weekend to participate in activities to support Southern Cross. 

The celebrity golf tournament will putt off at 8 a.m. on Friday. 

For those golfing or attending the gala, a welcome reception with special performances will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday. 

On Saturday, guests can enjoy a pool party with live music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by the gala, which starts at 5:30 p.m.

The gala will include a delectable dinner, performances, a live auction, a silent auction, cocktails and an opportunity to learn more about Southern Cross and its mission.

Those who are unable to attend the gala can instead choose to sponsor a VIP table for local veterans and first responders invited by Southern Cross. Donations will be recognized with a table card reading "Table for Heroes Sponsor."

Waldorf Astoria Orlando is located at 14200 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Orlando. 

To purchase tickets to the event, click here. To make a donation to Southern Cross, click here. 

For more information on the event, click here or email [email protected].

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Brandon Marquez founded Southern Cross Service Dogs with traditions and unity in mind. 

The organization was created to enable an enriching and fulfilling life by pairing exceptionally trained service dogs with exceptional people to provide an increase in independence and self-reliance. 

The business also has a nonprofit arm dedicated to enriching lives by providing service dogs at no cost to qualified individuals with disabilities.

The overarching goal of Southern Cross is to provide well-trained dogs that exemplify the motto, “Always Beside You.” Service dogs bestow unconditional love, offer steadfast support, provide unwavering companionship and perform specific tasks to help mitigate an individual’s disability.

Each Southern Cross service dog works to increase independence, foster self-reliance and support the well-being of the individual it is paired with.

Benefits of PTS service dogs for veterans include: ability to recognize and better cope with symptoms; increase individual’s self-sufficiency; decreased reliance on prescription drugs; confidence to return to work or school; reduced anxiety and stress; and restored sense of daily purpose. 

Read the Orange Observer's full story on Southern Cross here.

Photo by Annabelle Sikes