It didn’t take sunshine on Saturday May 21 to kick-off the first ever Tail-a-bration in Snyder Park on Saturday, it took dedicated runners and walkers to participate in the first ever 5K Fun Run/Walk. The dogs and their owners were out and ready to take on the grass course by 9:30 am while volunteers put the finishing touches to the demonstrations, raffle booth and dozens of games and crafts for kids and adults alike in celebration of The Humane Society Serving Clark County and all of the “adopted” pets in our area.
Shelter Coordinator Krissi Hawke and her team of committee members kicked off the “pawty” and let the dogs out for a day of fun and treats.
During the day, member of K-9 Kollege lead by Marilyn Snyder provided free demonstrations of agility, obedience and even offered a free trick class.
Celebrity judges Natalie Jovonovich from WHIO Channel 7 in Dayton, Clark County Auditor John Federer and Springfield City Council Member Karen Duncan enjoyed the first ever Rescues Got Talent Contest naming two gold award winners, one silver and two bronze. The highlight of the contest was when Ivory, a deaf Great Dane and her owner took the stage and performed using sign language. Ivory received a silver award for her performance showing that special needs dogs can become an active part of your home and family.
Everyone who attended could shop at the vendor stations and purchase raffle tickets. A record 37 prizes were donated by generous businesses and individuals from around the community including a special basket lovingly created by the trainer from the prison training program. The inmates also created handmade dog toys and a blanket so that they too could support the event to raise funds for the much needed spay and neuter clinic.
Early reports indicate that the hard work of the volunteers and Ms. Hawke paid off with just over $4,600 raised for goal of $5,000 for the event. If you would like to help reach this goal, it is not too late. You can send your tax deductible donation to the Humane Society at 5201 Urbana Road in Springfield.
This event worked on a zero budget which meant that volunteers and the Shelter Coordinator went out into the community and secured both monitory and in kind donations to purchase all of the cupcakes, decorations and materials to create the crafts and games.
Rob Rue of Littleton and Rue Pet Cremations generously stepped up to be the corporate sponsor this year for the event and donated the shirts for the 5K, professional signs, special treats for the welcome bags and much more.
Wal-Mart, Meijer, Lowes, Wallace and Turner Insurance, Young’s Jersey Dairy, Pat Catans, Rural King, Pet Smart, The Enon Eagle and New Carlisle News and many others also donated gift cards and materials, free advertising and more to make the program possible. Countless other businesses and individuals gave of their time, materials and funds to create an event that the entire community could enjoy.
Event committee members gathered in the kitchen of the clubhouse following the event and have already started talking about how they can improve the 5K and the overall activities for next year.
The families of adopted pets, shelter employees and volunteers wish to thank the community for their generous support and for their desire to help prevent unwanted pets by donating to the spay and neuter clinic.
For more information on this event and to see the list of donors, visit The Humane Society Serving Clark County Facebook page.
