Walk for Animals/Bark for Life Brings in over $5500!

Pets in Action Photo Contest Raises $1285 for GRR!

The Walk for Animals/Bark for Life event held on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at Diamond Point Park was the 33rd year of the Walk for Animals for Great River Rescue. This year marked the fourth consecutive year that the event was held in partnership with the American Cancer Society’s Bark for Life program. This year’s event raised a grand total of $5,639 which will be shared between Great River Rescue and Bark for Life. About 50 walkers participated in the activities which included a Cancer Survivor story, a demonstration from Sargent Petrie and his dog Jessie, a walk along beautiful Lake Bemidji, and various prize giveaways. Walkers were also encouraged to do their own fundraising for these causes which greatly increased the total funds raised. Our top fundraisers were as follows:

Patrick Scholz at $395
Alex Lawlor at $275
The Tobon Kids at $268
Shirley Luoma at $260
Crystal Peabody at $230

We are very grateful to everyone who participated and helped make this event a success. Thank you as well to our wonderful sponsors:

Headline Sponsor – Paul Bunyan Communications

Event Sponsors – Security Bank, First National Bank of Bemidji

Community Sponsors – Ace Hardware, Knife River Materials, Sara Labraaten State Farm Insurance, Naylor Heating & Refrigeration, The Garden Grill & Pub, LePier Shoreline & Outdoors, Pets Plus, Lakes Concrete, TruStar Federal Credit Union

Other Sponsors – Petopia, Target of Bemidji, Canine Divine, Bemidji Vet Hospital, Innovative Office Solutions, Mix 103.7

Online Pet Photo Contest

Additionally, an online pet photo contest was held during the month of May and the first part of June to benefit Great River Rescue. Participants uploaded a photo of their pet or pets and then sought votes from their friends and family. Each vote represented a $1 donation to the shelter. The top 4 vote-getters earned a spot in the upcoming 2019 Great River Rescue Calendar. The winners were announced at the Walk and were as follows:

Benji submitted by Chelsie DeFor with 275 votes
Luna submitted by Mandi Bakke with 250 votes
Jax submitted by Gail Riveness with $145 votes
Brinlee & Bear submitted by Stacy Black with 95 votes

The total raised from the contest was $1285. Thank you to all who participated and congratulations to our winners!