Alaska Veterans Organization for Women Hold Annual Fundraiser

The Alaska Veterans Organization for Women held its annual fundraiser Saturday evening at Middle Way Café.



The organization's goal is to provide support services for Alaska's nearly 8,500 female veterans and highlight women's service in the military.



Alaska is home to the highest percent per capita of women veterans in the country.



Money raised at the event will be used for their annual six-day wellness retreat in Homer, but organization leaders say their main focus is to bring women veterans together.



"What we're trying to do is create a community for women's veterans to hear each other's stories, experience and advocate for women's veterans issues," said Vanessa Meade, Alaska Veteran Organization for Women.



KTUU's Morning Edtion anchor and producer Sheila Balistreri was given the 2013 Achievement Award for her service during the Vietnam War when she served with the Women's Army Corps.