Orphans of the Storm's Pooch Parade

Paws Will Hit The Ground Running August 3rd– Orphans of the Storm’s Pooch Parade Summer Fundraiser

It was seven years ago that the Levy family of Riverwoods (former Orphans adopters) had an idea for a fundraiser to benefit the local animal shelter, Orphans of the Storm. The idea was to hold a dog walk. An event that could bring local dog-lovers together for an energizing morning walk and at the same time raise funds for a worthwhile cause. 

The Levy family approached Orphans of the Storm with the idea, worked out the details, gained the necessary permits and a two-mile dog walk to benefit the shelter took off. It was a great idea that raised over $5,000 that first year. 
Every year since, supporters have raised donations for the shelter’s work by printing out a pledge sheet on-line (the pledge sheet is available to download and print out at:www.orphansofthestorm.org) and gathering donations from their family and friends towards their walking the 2-mile route with their own pooch in the Pooch Parade. Once the walker raises $100 they earn that year’s Pooch Parade T-shirt; once they hit $250 other prizes are earned. This year we've got a beautiful Trek bike courtesy of Deerfield Cyclery for the teen or pre-teen who raises the most pledges!

A new way to raise pledges this year
This year the addition of a fundraising site will make it easier than ever for anyone to join our cause, raise pledges and help the animals even more. When the walker goes tohttp://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise?fcid=249730 they are able to create their own personal fundraising page. They first set their fundraising goal (which the system then tracks and alerts them as every donation is made. The system even encourages the walker to write their own dog story and post their pet’s photos.) The walker can share the personal page with friends and family through email or on facebook to start the pledges coming in. The pledges arrive directly at Orphans of the Storm, an email arrives letting us know who and how much was donated and a receipt is automatically generated and emailed to the donor. 

The life-saving mission of Orphans of the Storm is as valuable as ever for the thousands of stray and abandoned dogs and cats from throughout Lake and northern Cook counties that arrive each year. Orphans is a rare place with a special mission that so many lives depend on. 

Will you join us in support of this year’s Pooch Parade. Set up your own fundraising page at http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise?fcid=249730, or search the site for a page of a friend of yours who is planning to walk and make a surprise donation to them. Or come out with your pooch and join in the walk for a $25 registration fee. Every dollar raised will directly benefit the welfare and care of the animals at the shelter. 

Orphans of the Storm Pooch Parade
Saturday, August 3 at 9am
Jaycee Memorial Park in Deerfield
$25 per dog to join in the two-mile walk through a shady neighborhood
Refreshments, raffle, lots of cool prizes and of course we’ll have some Orphans dogs on hand to meet!

A few of the pooches who will be looking for love at this year's Pooch Parade include:

Ty. Eight year old Ty, a super friendly large hound/lab mix of a guy was picked up as a stray. Through his tags we traced his owner down, but the owner never came to claim him. So now Ty wonders just what life has in store for him. The shelter is nice, he's well fed, but it's just not the same as a home of his own. Ty is playful with other dogs and walks well on a leash.

Emilo / What a spunky guy! This 5 year old neutered male jack russell terrier is as smart as they come. When his time was up we pulled him from another facility and he has been with Orphans since February. He arrived heartworm positive and has been through treatment and is now heartworm negative and ready to start his new life with a loving and active family. Emilio is great on a leash, loves car rides and especially loves to swim and play ball! Gets along great with all other dogs and people. Emilio is anxious for a master to teach him tricks!

Sassy / There is nothing sassy about this girl. She is a spayed female terrier mix. At six years old she was relinquished by her family because they had too many dogs. She is housebroken, leash trained, knows her commands and has been through agility training. Her paper work lists among her many talents that she knows her jump targets. She was raised with small children and has never bitten or shown any aggression towards people or other dogs. She also gets along well with cats. She is always a hit at the off site adoption events but her perfect person has just not discovered her yet. Could it be you?

Half Pint / Half Pints kennel-mates keep getting adopted. "Hey! What's wrong with me?" Half Pint asks. I love other dogs and I'm easy going, eager to please and ready to bond with anyone who will show me the attention I so deserve. Please consider getting to know me at least. . . you may fall in love.

You can view a complete list of available dogs on the Orphans of the Storm's website and facebook page. Or you are welcome to visit the shelter any day 11am-5pm.