Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 29

the raffle was held, the club took in about $1,000. But every year since then, the proceeds have been growing. In 2008, the raffle raised over $2,500, bringing the six-year total to more than $8,500. Scott says, “Our club is filled with members who step up and donate.” She asks all vendors who attend the trial to donate an item with a minimum value of $50 and says they usually donate items worth more. The former club president, Susan Fulenwider, makes beautifully hand-burned tables and dog portraits for the raffle. Local businesses donate items and services, and Scott’s husband makes agility equipment such as tire jumps and teeters. Others have donated a home in England for a two-week stay and also a vacation in a condo in Sarasota, Florida. Every year when Scott sends a check for the amount of raffle proceeds to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, she makes sure a card is sent to the families of McCune and Bedford so they know that MFGRC members will never forget them. Visit www.mfgrc.org for more information. Arizona Wags for Wishes A three-day extravaganza of dog events highlighted the mid-January 2009 Wags for Wishes (Wags) fundraiser in Glendale, Arizona. There was an activity for every dog sport enthusiast: AKC agility, CGC testing, disc dogs, flyball, herding instinct testing, lure coursing, obedience, Rally, and splash dogs. The event organizer, Wendy Hultsman, previously participated in the California Wags event during the summer and decided to bring the fundraiser to Arizona so that agility enthusiasts could have the opportunity to participate in their home state during the winter. Hultsman created a special non-profit, R & Q Dog Sports, Inc., to sponsor the event and enlisted her advanced special event management students to help plan and put it on. As a professor of recreation and tourism at Arizona State University, she teaches courses in special event management and was able to provide her students an opportunity in 2008 and 2009 to plan and co-produce the event. Monique Ellis, who served as an intern preparing the 2008 Wags and is now the event’s Program Coordinator, explained why it is so successful: “The most rewarding part of this event has been seeing the amount of wishes we were able to help grant with the $21,000 we raised. Having the Make-A-Wish children come out and cheer on their favorite furry participants or even just walking around with a special dog friend for the day makes it all worth it.” The mission of the Arizona chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation is “to grant wishes to local Arizona children with life-threatening medical conditions.” Nicole Romanoff, Make-A-Wish spokesperson, says that Agility enthusiasts throughout the country are increasingly involved with worthwhile causes in their communities. What better way to enjoy an activity with your dog than to make a contribution to a deserving event? three children were able to have their wishes granted in 2008 with proceeds from the event. Gabby V., age three, traveled to Disneyland with her mom, dad, brother, and sister. She received the “royal treatment” with a limo ride, send-off party, and a princess backpack filled with toys and activities for the trip. Yesenia S., eight years old, had a cowgirl adventure with her family at Rawhide Wild West Town in Phoenix and got to ride a horse. She also received her own cowgirl hat and “Buttercup,” a large plush horse bigger than she is. Noah R., a music-loving 15-year-old, went to Guitar Center for a shopping spree and came home with a new guitar and tons of professional recording equipment. Although the proceeds from the 2009 event weren’t available at print time, Hultsman hopes for more than $30,000 net profit and plans to sponsor it again in 2010 with the help of 30 or 40 students and countless volunteers. To find out more about the event, visit www.azwags4wishes.com. For information about the 2009 California Wags for Wishes event upcoming on July 10-12 in Chula Vista, visit www.wagsforwishes.com. Activities include a NADAC agility trial. How to Help Agility enthusiasts throughout the country are increasingly involved with worthwhile causes in their communities. What better way to enjoy an activity with your dog than to make a contribution to a deserving event? The events described here are good examples of what can be accomplished with effort and imagination. To learn more about incorporating raffles and other fundraisers for your local events, visit the websites listed here and contact the event organizers. D Martha Faulk, author and business writing consultant, lives in Fort Collins, Colorado. She competes in agility and herding with her two rescues, RebaRae, an Australian Cattle dog, and SallyAnn, an Australian Shepherd. Her Border Terrier EmmaLou, MX, MXJ, is now retired from agility but working on her Senior Earthdog title. StevieRay, also a Border Terrier, is competing in agility and Rally. Contact Martha through marthfaulk@msn.com. Gabby V. went to Disneyland Courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona ® Yesenia S., cowgirl for a day Courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona ® Noah R.’s shopping spree at Guitar Center Courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona ® Hultsman (far left) presenting $21,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation . Courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona ® ® April 09 | Clean Run 29

http://www.mfgrc.org http://www.azwags4wishes.com http://www.wagsforwishes.com

Clean Run Magazine - April 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - April 2009