Walk / Run for the Animals engages the community to support dogs and cats

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington event offers socially aloof fun

VANCOUVER – Local residents are invited to attend the annual Walk / Run for the Animals 30th Anniversary Celebration. The Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSWW) is hosting a socially distant event in downtown Vancouver.

HSWW’s annual fundraiser provides shelter animals with food, medical care, socialization skills, and play time while they wait for their new homes. Photo courtesy of the Humane Society for Southwest Washington

The dog and kid friendly hiking route offers fun stops with available food, giveaways, and entertainment. Wherever they choose the week leading up to May 1st, runners can take a 5K run and submit their time online. HSWW’s annual fundraiser provides shelter animals with food, medical care, socialization skills, and play time while they wait for their new homes.

Take the lead

This year’s walk / run for the animal co-chairs are Cyndi Holloway and Jason Fish. Holloway is the director of government and community affairs for Waste Connections, and this is her sophomore year as a walk / run for the animal co-chair. Co-chairs and committee members connect their networks to the event and support it financially.

“I’m committed to HSSW and the event because Waste Connections has been an annual sponsor for several years in a row,” says Holloway. “Being part of the Walk / Run has brought so much luck – not only for the Waste Connections employees, but also for my personal family. This event involves all age groups in our community and at the same time raises awareness of the services that HSSW offers. “

Co-chair Jason Fish is co-owner of the Main Event Sports Grill, 3 Sheets at the Harbor and The Piehole. Fish joined the HSSW board of directors in 2018 and has been the co-chair of Walk / Run for the past four years. His company, Main Event Sports Grill, has been a walk / run sponsor for many years and the downtown Vancouver location will be a stopover during the event.

“I have adopted several dogs from the HSSW, and the work of the organization is important to our entire region,” notes Fish. “If we get involved and use our company as an event sponsor, we can thank people for being out there and supporting the animals,” says Fish.

Walk / Run for Animals Event Day, May 1st

Fifteen HSSW sponsors and supporters have teamed up to create seven interactive stops on the walking route in the city center. Each stop highlights the services and shows appreciation for registered walk / run participants and fundraisers. Some sponsor stops offer attendees free treats like ice cream, root beer, and burritos. There are also free dog biscuits and goodie bags for dogs. The competitions range from fitness training to pet-specific gift baskets. Entertainment includes a photo booth, prizes wheel, and Joe the Balloon Man balloon animals.

Participants can walk anytime between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and visit as many stops as they want. Masks are required for all participants. Additionally, attendees must be 6 feet away from other attendees outside of their group and wait for their turn to visit the store or booth. Runners can complete their 5K run anywhere they want by May 1st and enter their time online to see their leaderboard. All registered hikers and runners will receive an event bag as well as a custom commemorative medal for the 30th anniversary! Join in and change the lives of dogs and cats.

Walk / run for the animal event details

date: Sat., May 1st
place: Downtown and Uptown Vancouver, Washington
time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
costs: Registration fees are $ 50 between April 26th and April 30th or $ 55.00 on May 1st (event day). Children under the age of 12 are free with adult registration. hssw.org/walk-run Become a single fundraiser or join a team: https://southwesthumane.org/engage/events/walkrun-for-the-animals/fundraisers/