COMMUNITY NEWS
Doggone Amazing!
F
By Beverly Perkins
or the past 30 years, “The VCA Walk for the Animals” has been the largest fundraising event for the Humane Society of Broward County (HSBC) and although this year’s event was much different, the results were outstanding. Despite the many challenges due to COVID-19, the walk raised over $360,000 for the shelter’s animals, programs, and services. Participants walked individually or in small “packs” with family, friends, and/or co-workers to gain awareness, gather sponsorship donations, and collect other necessary items for the Society. One long-time participant who exceeded her twelve-year record was Janet McLaughlin along with her Maltese-mix pup. The Davie resident just happened to be the mom of this year’s Cover Dog, Lily. The duo (literally) went to town to do their part to raise the much-needed funds. Every walk around the neighborhood sure paid off as
they received a record-high $5,120. “I must say after doing the ‘Walk’ since 2010, this was my best year ever monetarily. My neighbors in the immediate area and a few from nearby neighborhoods, and those that had met me at the shelter were extremely generous this year with unbelievable donations that knocked my socks off which I was grateful for,” exclaimed McLaughlin. McLaughlin shared that several “super donors” like the Bryn and the Paletz families gave as much as $500 each. Additionally, Paletz Roofing donated five $100 doggie beds for the shelter’s kennels. The owners of Ameriprise Financial, Robert Love and Richard Bernstein, also met the $500 contribution. “All and all, the donors I was able to reach out to happened to be big animal lovers and extremely generous with their donation and support for the Broward County Humane
Lily McLaughlin, The 2021 VCA Walk for the Animals Cover Dog
Society. As a proud volunteer, I was able to collect and walk with my beloved ‘Cover Girl’. I thank all the wonderful folks that live in the Davie area for the support to make this donation possible,” added McLaughlin. It’s hopeful that next year’s “Walk for the Animals” will be “pawsitively” perfect with an “in-person” and “in-dog” status in downtown Fort Lauderdale in early May.
5/31/21 SFLD
5/31/21 SFLD
18 / Our City Davie / May 2021 / OurCityMedia.com
