Our thanks to the North Coast News!
https://www.northcoastnews.com/news/dog-day-afternoon-annual-woof-a-thon-in-ocean-shores/
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 Organization1/14/2019  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.'” Thank you Angelo for the coverage and your support! Read full article at the link below: North Coast News - Click to access full article  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! 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/  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  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! 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!  From founder Wilma Spike
The Two Lives of Pearl I adopted Pearl from a rescue group up near Spirit Lake. She wasn't the dog I'd originally gone down to see, and in fact I was ready to leave when they brought out Pearl at the last minute, scared stiff (literally) and sad. I left her there and drove away – then decided I wanted to see her again and turned around. That was the beginning of our wonderful 6 years together. Pearl had spent the first 8 years of her life at a puppy mill, in a crate, being bred constantly. She was not socialized, not potty trained, truly a blank slate, and very sad and scared. There were times that I loudly said maybe I would take her back (potty training was tough) but of course, I didn't! She gradually got the idea, and living in a condo, it takes a little time to get her outside. When I realize how far that must have seemed to her - - Our walks were slow and so eye-opening for me. If we heard a bird or saw one, we stopped and watched. Grass was different, other dogs greeting her... It was all new to her! It was so heartwarming to see how she reacted. She was always so inquisitive (or snoopy) and was very willing to try anything. When I founded and chaired the Ocean Shores Woof-a-thon event, it was natural for her to be part of the logo art. She was and is on all ads, promotional items, and of course, came to every event. The event has gone on for 5 years and has raised over $55,000 for four beneficiary animal related organizations. She was every bit a partner in this, and enjoyed the events. And why not? She was carried around all day like the princess she was!! How do I write down the wonderful times we had.? I am so grateful for those years, and the memories I have of her. She made me smile just looking at her. She was a great traveler, and went everywhere with me. She also became the mascot to other condo owners here at Dreamscape. She loved them all, and they loved her. For a 5 pound dog, she left a huge paw print in this town and on all of us. She will be missed by all. Anyone who has loved an animal knows the pain of losing them. My feeling is that life will never be quite as good again without her. I have never had a dog who got more attention than Pearl. She was a blue merle Pomeranian with one blue eye. She was a beautiful girl, and so many asked what she was. Miniature Husky? Artic Fox? On and on. Her coloring was so unusual for a Pom. Her death was unexpected. It appeared she had a stroke. She had had a good day prior to that. I was holding her and whispering to her when she passed away. Peacefully. Yes, I gave her the second life that she was living and loving, but she also gave so much to me. We had a totally wonderful 6 years together, and I am so very grateful for that and having her in my life. I will miss her forever. RIP – my little Pearl girl. The North Coast Journal article on the passing of Pearl. www.northcoastnews.com/life/in-memory-of-pearl-woof-a-thons-icon/#civil-comments  Ocean Shores Woof-aThon wrapped up the 5th year as they awarded $10,000 to the 4 charities of their choice. Each shared equally in the proceeds. Accepting the checks were: Lorna Valdez of North Beach Paws, Deb Blake of Harbor Rescue, Kristina Snyder of PAWS of Grays Harbor, and Leon Brauner of Ocean Shores Food Bank for animal food.
Wilma announced that over the course of 5 years, that the OS Woof-a-Thon has awarded $49,500 to charities who help needy animals. She also shared that she is so proud of the Woof-a-Thon, and all it brings to the animals and the city. She thought when we made the yearly calendar, that we had "made it", but after 5 years she feels even more confident that it will continue. That has always been her goal for the Woof-a-Thon. The Food Bank awarded Wilma a certificate with their thanks. She was humbled by this, but she also made it very clear that she doesn't do this alone. It would not happen without the numerous volunteers, the board, and the key people for the event. And above all, it's a fun day for the dogs and their people. And all for the animals. |
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