The Hellenic Post 129 commander’s granddaughter needs our help

It is a sad state of affairs for Post 129 Commander Anthony Forchas, and the American Legion Family of The Hellenic Post 129 in Minneapolis. His granddaughter needs our prayers and our assistance.

On Aug. 27, our community was shattered by a heartbreaking school shooting that killed two students and injured several others, including 12-year-old Sophia Forchas.

Post 129 meets at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, just a 3-mile drive north from Annunciation Catholic Church, where the shooting occurred. Sophia goes to church at St. Mary’s and school at Annunciation.

Sophia’s father is a member of Sons of The American Legion Squadron 129. He says she is a bright, kind and full-of-life young girl who is now fighting for her life.

Sophia was shot during the attack and is currently in critical condition in the ICU. She has already undergone emergency surgery, and her medical team is doing everything they can to stabilize her. Her road ahead will be long, uncertain, and incredibly difficult — but she is strong, and she is not alone.

A GoFundMe account has been established to assist with raising of funds to support this brave family during the hardest moment of their lives. Donations will go directly toward:

• Sophia’s critical medical care and recovery.
• Trauma counseling for both children.
• Family support services and therapy.
• Lost wages for the family.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-sophia-and-the-forchas-family-recover

Please, if you are able, donate to help this family hold onto hope. And if you can’t give, sharing this page means more than you know. Together, we can ease some of the burden they never should have had to carry.

If you wish to mail a check, please make it out to: “Thomas Forchas.” Mail it to American Legion Post 129, 3450 Irving Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55408.

Air Force veteran Linda Dvorak is the commander of the Minnesota American Legion.