Walk A Thon
Getting ready to walk
Wow! The second annual APET SPCA Woofin’Waggin Walk-A-Thon was even bigger and better this year. Though the weather was cold and very windy, a dedicated few met at the Mineola Civic Center on Saturday May 14 at 8:30AM. This year, we were joined by Mineola Middle School’s Builder’s Club which is in some circles known as the Kiwanis Kids! They are such an impressive bunch of young people dedicated to a project once they take it on. There were only five kids actually walking their dogs, but they did a mammoth job! Prizes were donated by the Mineola Community Bank (savings bond for greatest donation winner) and Walmart (gift card for first runner up). Our winner of last year’s event, Shelby Roberts, was this year’s winner again. She outdid her incredible donation of $400 from her sponsors last year to $800 this year! She again had her adorable Shih Tzu, Cookie. Second prize winner was Dylan Godwin, who added to his own contribution by giving the money he had brought to enjoy the carnival at Mineola May Days! Walkers turned in over $1,000 which was added to by donations in our collection dog house and a new membership!
Registering
APET volunteer owner of a handicapped dog, Frazier, we helped rescue led the walking procession. Frazier was found dragging himself on the side of the road with his back half paralyzed. He has come a long way and led the kids proudly with the assistance of his wheels for his hind quarters! The walk was completed in record time. APET would like to again express hearty thanks for the Builders Club time and donations to charity. Also, again to the Mineola Community Bank and Mineola Walmart for donating prizes for these deserving kids! Their efforts will be used to help our low cost spay and neuter programs as well as emergency community outreach when required to help stray, abandoned and abused animals in Wood County and surrounding communities. We so appreciate and count upon the generosity of others on behalf of our furry friends who can’t speak for themselves!
Last year’s Walk-A-Thon:
First place winners Shelby Roberts and Cookie
APET enjoyed the first annual Woofin’ Waggin’ Walk-A-Thon on April 24. Held at the Mineola Civic Center, the Walk was a fund raising event with school-aged kids walking their dogs around the perimeter of the Center (about a mile) for sponsorship of their participation. Even with threatening weather, the walkers turned out, not in great numbers, but generous in contribution!
Our grand prize winner, Shelby Roberts and her pooch, Cookie, raised $400 to help APET continue invaluable outreach programs such as our low cost spay and neuter as well as community outreach for abandoned, neglected and abused animals Shelby was awarded $100 savings bond donated by the Mineola Community Bank, which she unbelievable turned around and donated back to APET in an unprecedented show of maturity and generosity.
Second place winners Ashton Baucum and Sadie
Our second prize winner was Ashton Baucom, with her adorable dog Sadie who collected $139 and won a $50 gift card donated by our local Mineola Wal-Mart.
Our parade marshal was Scott Hazard with his local celebrity, Gumbo the Poodle. Everybody received an APET baseball cap and our sincerest appreciation for a job well done. APET volunteers were on hand to distribute water, and clean up bags as necessary. Also, we were striving to ensure that the dogs remained under control, but they were all well behaved and seemed to enjoy the event.
The Walkers
We netted about $1000 from the effort and plan to repeat the event next year. Next year, we would like to open the Walk up to participants of all ages, and would appreciate any other ideas.
