First Annual ‘Paws in Sand’ Dog Walk-A-Thon on March 31

Pledges now being accepted for the First Annual “Paws in the Sand” Dog Walk-A-Thon on March 31.

The St. Augustine Humane Society will benefit from Flagler College’s Society for Advancement of Management (SAM) dog walk-a-thon to be held on Sat., March 31. Participants and supporters can now pledge donations of $1 or more to sponsor each walking team. Donations will benefit the programs at the Humane Society.

Top pledge earners are eligible for prizes. Pledges and voting may be entered online. To view rules and registration, and to submit, view and vote for dog walking teams, visit the website at www.360fundraiser.com/124. For more information, call the St. Augustine Humane Society at 904.829.2737 or visit the website at www.staughumane.org.

The event will be held at Butler Beach Park East on SR-A1A across from the fire station, with free parking atButler Beach Park and the parking lot at the Mary Street ramp. The walk-a-thon begins with registration and entertainment at 9:00 am and the walk-a-thon runs from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm. The fundraiser includes a one mile walk on the beach and demonstrations by St. Johns County K-9 officers. Music, food, and prizes will also be featured. The cost is $15 to register each dog.

The Society for Advancement of Management Chapter (SAM) at Flagler College was established in 1983 and is a student chapter of the nation’s oldest management organizations which is close to 100 years in existence. Flagler CollegeSAM has been awarded nine, first place titles in the SAM International Management Conference. The local chapter supports non-profit organizations in the community including the St. Augustine Humane Society, the Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, and Take Stock In Children.

According to Carolyn Smith, St. Augustine Humane Society’s Operations Director, the local SAM club has volunteered to oversee the walk-a-thon project with business and event management and participation from other Flagler College clubs for assistance with graphic design, food vendors, equipment and supplies, to name a few.

“Our members are working in the community and school to help host and put on a fun, family-dog friendly event. We hope to make the event a tremendous success with plans to create this opportunity as an annual fundraiser in support of the Humane Society,” said Tucker Estes, Flagler College SAM club member and Paws in the Sand event chairperson. “With members of various majors at Flagler College, we are confident and thankful to get the direct experience with marketing, managing, public relations, and networking in our local community,” he said. “With the help of our community, school, and members, the First Annual ‘Paws in the Sand’ dog walk will help to keep St. John’s County pets in their homes.”

The fundraising efforts will support the Humane Society’s charity pet clinic which helps pet owners who would otherwise be unable to seek preventative medical care for their pets. The event will also help to fund a dog training scholarship program in collaboration with the “Be a Pack Leader Dog Walking Club” in St. Augustine. The Club addresses behavior problems as one of the primary reasons dogs are relinquished to shelters.

“We are so pleased that local individuals and organizations have the heart to donate to the St. Augustine Humane Society and its mission to reduce the relinquishment rate of pets to shelters through various assistance programs,” said Smith. “The goal of the non-profit is to keep pets in loving homes instead of surrendering to a temporary shelter for housing, and to prevent euthanasia.” For more information, call 904.829.2737. Visit the website for more information at www.staugustinehumanesociety.org.

 

The St. Augustine Humane Society promotes responsible pet ownership and strengthens the human-animal bond through education and training; works to reduce the relinquishment rate of pets to shelters through assistance services and through effective, affordable spay and neuter efforts; and is a resource center for the citizens and animals of St. Johns County, Florida. The facility is located at 1665 Moultrie Road in St. Augustine, Fla. Business hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am until 4 pm. Closed on Sunday and Monday. For more information call 904.829.2737or visit the website at www.staugustinehumanesociety.org.