Honoring Allen Whitwell: A Legacy of Devotion to WCC
Allen Whitwell’s connection to Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) began serendipitously through the organization’s popular puppy cam back in the early days in Brookeville. Drawn initially by the adorable sight of playful puppies, Allen quickly became a steadfast supporter of WCC, dedicating his time and resources to advance its mission of supporting Veterans through the healing power of service dogs. His support of WCC continues even after his recent passing (June 24, 1939 – January 17, 2024), thanks to a charitable estate gift he left the organization.
A Navy Veteran who served from 1957 to 1961, Allen worked in aviation while on active duty. He was stationed on the aircraft carrier Franklin Roosevelt in the Mediterranean, during the early years of the Vietnam War. His military experience fostered a deep empathy for fellow Veterans, particularly those struggling to reintegrate into civilian life after enduring the hardships of service. This empathy translated into a passionate commitment to WCC.
Allen’s generosity was evident in his active participation in WCC’s social media fundraising campaigns and his readiness to contribute to the organization’s wish list needs. Whether it was a fundraising competition on CrowdRise or an urgent need for supplies, Allen’s contributions always helped WCC surpass its goals.
When asked about his support, Allen simply said, “I feel so bad for some of the Veterans coming back and I want to do what we can to help them.” And like so many others, Allen said “Well at first, I came for the puppies, but I stayed for the mission. I had no idea what these puppies could do!”
In 2020, he received WCC’s Wag of the Tail Award, which recognized his significant contributions to the organization. However, Allen’s commitment to WCC extended beyond his lifetime. Upon his passing, Allen left an estate gift to support WCC, ensuring that his legacy of generosity would continue to benefit Veterans and their service dogs.
Allen’s gift has left a legacy at WCC and will be a huge support for many years to come. His bequest will not only fund current program needs, but also will be invested in the WCC Endowment Fund established earlier this year. The Endowment Fund was created to ensure that, far into the foreseeable future, Veterans will be able to heal from their visible and invisible wounds through WCC’s No-Fail Mission.
As we grieve Allen’s passing and reflect on his past steadfast support of WCC, we find comfort in knowing that his legacy of caring for fellow Veterans will continue in perpetuity. For all who have witnessed Allen’s kindness and generosity over the years, you know that his generous spirit will live on as he is among the first to join WCC’s Legacy Giving Society. For those inspired by Allen’s legacy, considering an estate gift or other planned giving options can be a powerful way to support WCC and leave a lasting impact on the lives of Veterans.
To learn more about how you can support Warrior Canine Connection and leave a legacy like Allen’s, please email giving@warriorcanineconnection.org. Your contribution can make a world of difference for Veterans in need and help continue the invaluable work that Allen so passionately supported.
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