Matthew Lawrence Perna Foundation

01/15/2026

The Matthew Lawrence Perna Foundation is proud to announce that we have raised the necessary funds to provide a service dog for a veteran in need! $37,000 will cover 15 months of training, flying the veteran to Florida for 2 weeks of training with their new dog, and future support for any additional training needed after the dog is in the veteran's home. WE DID IT! We are currently waiting for a litter of puppies, at which time we will choose the name and update you on the progress, up to the presentation of the dog to its new owner. Thank you so much for all of your help. The Matthew Lawrence Perna Foundation does not pay salaries, and we keep our expenses to a minimum so your donations are used for the intended causes.

11/20/2025

10/19/2025

We took a tour of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs in Williston, Florida. Beautiful facility, equipped with a full-time veterinarian. We got to see several dogs in training and had the privilege of giving them a check for $10,000, toward the dog we are going to donate to a veteran. We already gave them $5000, so we still have a couple more donations to make. Thank you to all who support us in this very important cause.

09/09/2025

Also available for purchase are some we had left from last year's race. Same great quality! REDUCED PRICE!!!
TEES: S,M,L,XL,2XL,3XL : $5
HOODIES: M, XL, XXL: $20

09/09/2025

We have this year's shirts, hoodies, hats and bandanas for sale!!! Our shirts are BEAUTIFUL AND VERY HIGH QUALITY!

Tees: M,L, XL, 2XL: $18
Hoodies: M, L, XL, 2XL: $35
Hats: $15
Bandanas: $10
Pins: $5

If you live in the Shenango Valley, we can meet up with you, otherwise we can ship one, but you will have to pay the shipping $8-$10.

09/08/2025

Meet Maverick! Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs came to to our 5k on Saturday and brought a loveable, highly trained dog to join the fun! He is proudly wearing one of our MLP Shebango Dirts Bandanas. If you would like to help us raise the funds, we still have a ways to go! https://www.givesendgo.com/MLPFoundation

09/07/2025

Matt's beautiful smile guided our runners at our Race. We had perfect weather, and a good turnout. We hoped to see more of our local friends yesterday, but are grateful for those who came. Your presence helped tremendously. We will continue raising the funds to meet our goal, so all donations are still very much needed.
https://www.givesendgo.com/MLPFoundation?utm_source=sharelink&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=MLPFoundation

09/07/2025

Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers, prize donors, sponsors, The Erie Canal Bar and Grille , racers, walkers, our AMAZING race team; Marcus Priester , Summer Marie Pryts, Cory Pryts, Cris Chisler, Jennifer Kaloostian, Laura Fette also, Ron Perna, Christine Perna , Jackie Perna , Patty Wakeford, Rosie Wasser, Michael Wasser, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Trevor Cain, and EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED OUR EVENT! Matthew was surely smiling today and although we have not met our goal yet this year, we will continue raising the funds needed to provide a service dog to a veteran!

09/05/2025

All volunteers for tomorrow! We are setting up at 7:00 a.m.. Race registration is from 8-9, and the race starts at 9:15. We will need our volunteers for the trail, as well as registration volunteers there by 8 a.m. We are so grateful for everyone who is helping us make this year our best one so far!

09/02/2025

We are collecting the prizes and baskets tomorrow and Thursday! Please message me if you would like to arrange a time!

09/01/2025

The Matthew Lawrence Perna Foundation is so very grateful to the following for their generous sponsorship of our event this Saturday! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Without you, this event would not be possible!

PLATINUM
VIC “CORLEONE” BEARY
PERNA’S HILLSIDE STORAGE

GOLD
LOU PERNA CONSULTING, LLC
CAMPAIGN

SILVER
IAN’S IMPOSSIBLE DREAM FUND
G.H. HURL CONSTRUCTION, INC.
ERIE CANAL BAR & GRILLE

BRONZE
SEBASTIAN GORKA
KAM MOTORSPORTS
WAREHOUSE SALES
THE KAIKIS FAMILY PLAZA
RANDY THOMPSON
BILL & ADRIENNE KALP
COLLINS OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT
THE YINZERS GETAWAY AIRBNB

08/31/2025

YOUR support is needed to help us bless a veteran with a fully trained service dog from Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs. Everyone is WELCOME!