(Press Release) -- The Animal Wellness Center of Buffalo Valley is hoping you'll join in the "Bark For Life" fundraising event for the American Cancer Society on Friday, June 22.
"Bark for Life" honors the caregiving qualities of our canine best friends and caregivers. It presents an opportunity for people to be empowered through their canine companion partnerships and to contribute to cancer cures through the mission of American Cancer Society. Participants come together to celebrate cancer survivorship, to honor people lost to cancer, to fundraise in support of cancer research, education, awareness, patient services, advocacy and to help eliminate the suffering that cancer causes worldwide.
This is a stand-alone event that supports the local/community Relay for Life. All contributions raised by participants go to the community event total and can be credited to Relay teams if desired.
All canine caregivers (including family pets, guide dogs, service dogs, rescue dogs, therapy dogs, police dogs, cancer survivor dogs and diagnostic dogs), their owners and anyone interested in participating in the event.
Participants can sign up through a registration form located at the Animal Wellness Center of Buffalo Valley, or by contacting Kathryne at kathryne.nelson@cancer.org . Participants are asked to collect donations and turn them in at the "Bark for Life" event. All funds feed into the Relay For Life event. Registration fees will be $10 a dog or $20 for a family with 2 or more dogs.
The "Bark for Life" of Buffalo-Pepin counties is a one mile walk in which participants and their canine companions walk together. Prior to the walk there is an opening ceremony in which participants are welcomed, a survivor or caregiver shares a story about their cancer journey, and the walk is kicked off with an official survivor lap. Participants then complete the walk, and activities, food and vendors will be available at the Animal Wellness Center of Buffalo Valley upon the walkers return.
Participants of "Bark for Life" events find a great deal of success with their fundraising by simply asking their contacts to make a donation to the American Cancer Society. This can be done via face-to-face asks, letters, e-mails, and Facebook. Participants are also welcome to fundraise in creative ways, such as collecting donations at a doggy treat bake sale, pet wash, etc. Our fundraising goal for each participant will be $25/person.
In addition to collecting donations, there are several fundraising opportunities. We will be selling dog bone cards in honor or memory of someone who's faced cancer. These are available to participants to use for fundraising and can be picked up at the Animal Wellness Center of Buffalo Valley. They will be posted on banners during the event. There is also an opportunity for participants to sell food or other items at the event to raise additional dollars.
If interested, contact Rhonda at awcbv@cvcexpress.net or 715-926-3836, Jane at jschultz@buildersmillworkinc.com or 715-225-0585, or Kathryne at kathryne.nelson@cancer.or or 715-514-2250 ext. 13.
