Ocean Shores Woof-a-Thon - News and Updates

2021 Woof-a-thon event canceled

5/4/2021

Due to the continued work to get covid under control, and the uncertainty of what months ahead will look like, the board of directors for the Ocean Shores Woof-a-thon have voted to canceled what would have been the 2021 event in August. We miss seeing you all at the event and hope that 2022 will be a return to normalcy.

Let's all work to support everyone's health and eradicate this pandemic - get vaccinated, wear a mask, social distancing, avoid crowds.

Thank you to all who have supported our fundraising efforts in the past. We'll be back!

ANNOUNCEMENT: 2020 event canceled

4/19/2020

Hello friends. We're sorry to announce that the 2020 Woof-a-thon has been canceled. We waited as long as we could to see if this crisis might pass before our August date, but it appears that things are far too unknown at this time, and are likely to take longer to get back to normal than originally anticipated.
We just sent out the linked press release to local newspapers. Let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you for all your support of our event and fundraising over the years. We hope to see you all soon! In the meantime, feel free to direct interested persons to our website where they can read details, make a secure donation online and more.
Stay safe and well! All our best from the Woof-a-thon board of directors.
Patrick Spike
Board Member

press-release_2020_canceled.pdf
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A nice 2019 follow-up article and great pictures!

8/16/2019

Our thanks to the North Coast News!

https://www.northcoastnews.com/news/dog-day-afternoon-annual-woof-a-thon-in-ocean-shores/

Son of Founder Wilma Spike, Patrick Spike takes the reigns of the Woof-a-thon Organization

1/14/2019

When health issues meant that Wilma Spike could no longer take such an active role in the annual work of the charity, new leadership and other changes to the board enabled her to reduce her role in planning the event. Still involved, she would provide input, advice and some limited oversight as things went forward.

Founder Wilma Spike passed away in September. The Ocean Shores Woof-a-thon is a legacy she leaves behind that her son obviously wanted protected and nurtured. “I helped my mother plan the Woof-a-thon from the very beginning. I have been a board member, handled social media, email marketing, print materials and helped at the event itself. I even wrote the bylaws and articles of incorporation for the non-profit.”

With a few mishaps, the event has continued and we were thrilled to be able to provide funding to our charitable organizations for last year – Harbor Rescue, Ocean Shores Food Bank, North Beach Paws, West Coast Search Dogs of Washington, and PAWS of Grays Harbor. Of course, we'd always love to provide more. “These organizations do great work in the community and we're so pleased to be able to support them, among others,” says Spike. He gathered the current board as well as former members and offered to take over as president for the time being. He plans to put his experience and talents running a non-profit organization, along with his personal knowledge of the Woof-a-thon to work to get everything running smoothly again.

Planning for the 8/2019 event and preceding pieces is already underway with the new board including Patrick Spike as President, Jan Guertin as Secretary, Donna Preston as Treasurer and Mike Preston as Vice President, with Sandy Harley as an advisor. The organization also plans to re-invigorate former projects such as their garage sale over Memorial Day weekend.

Treasurer Donna Preston comments, “What we absolutely need is more help. We'd like to add additional board members with ties to the community as well as volunteers to help with planning and operating of events. We spread out the work and make it fun for all, while raising money for amazing organizations.” If you're interested in helping, visit www.oceanshoreswoofathon.org for details or contact them directly at woofathonevent@gmail.com.

“Over the years the Ocean Shores Woof-a-thon has raised about $65,000 for animal related charities in this community. This is a rare thing to have in an area like this. I hope more people will join us in the fun and the fundraising,” says Spike. As my mom always said, 'It's the most fun day of the year for you and your dog.'”

Article from the North Coast News

8/12/2017

Thank you Angelo for the coverage and your support! Read full article at the link below:

North Coast News - Click to access full article

Fabulous baskets!

8/3/2017

Check out some of the fabulous baskets that have been donated so far for the 2017 Woof-a-thon! More are yet to come! Come out to the big event on August 12th 2017 starting at 10am at the North Beach Jr / Sr High School outside of Ocean Shores WA, buy your raffle tickets and drop them on the baskets of your choice to win!

2017 Beneficiaries announced!

7/17/2017

We are happy to announce the 2017 selected beneficiary charities! These worthy organizations will share in the total proceeds of our fundraising efforts for the year. Please show them some love on their Facebook pages linked below, and support them all you can. They are:

West Coast Search Dogs of Washington
- http://www.westcoastsearchdogs.org/

Harbor Rescue
- http://www.harborrescue.net/

Gentle Paws Hospice & Sanctuary
- http://www.gentlepawssanctuary.org/

PAWS of Grays Harbor
- http://www.pawsgh.org/

New Annual pearl memorial award!

6/13/2017

This year, we launch the new Annual Pearl Memorial Award!

As many of you know, Founder Wilma Spike’s precious companion Pearl is the mascot and logo dog of the Woof-a-Thon. This January, Wilma lost her best friend and the Board of Directors has decided to honor Pearl’s memory with the Annual Pearl Memorial Award. This award will be given to an individual who assists vets, animal control, or rescue groups by continuously opening their home and heart to care for animals through fostering and caring for injured dogs or cats until they can be adopted out to a loving home.

Please join for the Woof-a-thon event - August 12th 2017, 10am at our new location: North Bay Junior / Senior High School for the most fun day of the year for you and your dog!

For full details on the Ocean Shores Woof-a-thon see www.oceanshoreswoofathon.org Share using hashtag #woofathon2017

Join us to volunteer!

6/11/2017

We LOVE our volunteers... and they help us make the Woof-a-thon event and fundraising successful each year. We couldn't do it without them!

Come join us Tuesday June 13th at 6:30pm at the Elk's Club in Ocean Shores for an informal gathering of former and new volunteers to hear about different opportunities and the fun!

If you're not able to attend, we'd still love to hear from you. Visit the volunteers page here on the website and contact us with your interest!

2017 Woof-a-thon at a new location!

6/7/2017

There was a bit of confusion with the city schedulers this year and unfortunately North Beach Park got double booked. Well sometimes such mishaps lead to great things. This year, instead of at the park, the Woof-a-thon will be held on the grounds of the North Beach Junior / Senior High School just outside the Ocean Shores front gate. Plenty of space, restrooms, water and power... all the things we need. We'll see you there on August 12th!