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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2014-10-15, Page 21Wednesday, October 15, 2014 • News Record 21 Fundraiser for paraplegic dog Steph Smith Goderich Signal Star The Renewed Life Animal Rescue (RLAR) in Wingham is seeking support from the community to help raise funds for a paraplegic dog that came into their care on Sept. 9. About a year ago, Shelly, an 11 year-old Jack Russell terrier cross, was struck by a car which left her paralyzed in the hindquarters. RLAR received Shelly after her owners made the decision to surrender her to them as they were moving back to Australia and felt that the mandatory quarantine required for bringing ani- mals into another country, in combination with her age and special needs would be too hard on her. Jennifer Wick, the presi- dent and founder of RLAR said Shelly gets around by dragging her hindquarters but would do much better with a custom-made wheel- chair. She said the wheel- chair would also help prevent injuries that Shelly often received from dragging her hindquarters on the ground. "It was recommended that she get a variable -axle upgrade to the wheelchair because she's been dragging her legs around for almost a year," Wick said. "We're afraid that she'll get arthritis since she's an older dog and her legs won't be as strong as other dogs, but the wheel- chair will take a lot of strain off of her." Wick said the upgrade to the wheelchair also makes it more expensive. She said the cost of the wheelchair is $739. "We're doing a fundraiser right now that is similar to the ALS Ice Bucket Chal- lenge," Wick said. "People have to make a video of themselves eating some- thing really sour, because some people can make some pretty funny faces!" Wick said if they do the challenge and post the video they are asked to make a $5 donation, and if they choose not to participate in the chal- lenge they are asked to make a donation of $10. "If they still want to partic- ipate in the challenge but aren't able to make a dona- tion, we ask that they post the video and challenge their friends," Wick said. Wick hopes to do another online auction in the future for Shelly's wheelchair where the rescue is currently seek- ing donated items to auction off to the highest bidder. "We need to get her the wheelchair sooner rather than later," Wick said. Wick said beyond the wheelchair, RLAR is also in need of supplies such as receiving blankets (they don't have to be new), col- lars, leashes and pee pads, to name a few. For more information on the fundraisers and RLAR, visit www.facebook.com/ renewedliferescue. Donations can be made through PayPal or etransfer at www. renew- edliferescue@outlook.com or by mail at RR#2 Wingham, ON NOG 2W0. United Way of Perth -Huron aims high Mike Beitz QMI Agency The United Way Perth - Huron has made a habit of aiming high with its annual fundraising campaign. This year is no exception. After shattering its own fundraising record in 2013, the organization unveiled an even loftier target Friday for the 2014 campaign: $1,170,000. That's $55,000 more than last year's goal of $1,115,000, and $19,000 more than the $1,151,000 it actually raised during the banner year. "We think it's a reasonable goal," said Stratford police Chief John Bates, who will co-chair this year's cam- paign along with long -serv- ing United Way volunteer Wayne Smith of Huron County. Bates was speaking to a room full of community lead- ers and supporters gathered at the Kiwanis Community Centre for the annual cam- paign kickoff lunch in Stratford. He said he's not intimi- dated by the record -high fundraising goal this year, and doesn't expect he and Smith will need to resort to any gimmicks or stunts to meet it. "This year's strategy is sim- ply to deliver the message that the United Way is an important part of the effort to build strong, vibrant, livable, sustainable communities," said Bates. With profound societal changes happening all around us, "we need strong communities more than we ever have," added Smith. United Way executive director Ryan Erb told some disturbing stories Friday that highlighted that need. 'EM 0,00ERICH '• LIONS ARENA BINGO - Wednesday 7pm TV BINGO Monday 7 pm Eastlink Channel 12 Hurontel Channel 1 TCC Channel 48 LIC. #M717413 There were ones involving young people who had been physically, mentally and sex- ually abused, a wife beaten by her husband and tied to a tree in front of the children, and a woman who slept in front of the door at night to prevent her husband, who has Alzhei- mer's disease, from wander- ing away. Each of them received help through services backed by the United Way. "There are those in our community that find difficult Call 1-866-734-9425 or visit www.medicalert.ca ®MedicAlert Lets You live Li(. HAPPY g0th BIRTHDAY MARGARET COOPER! • spots. Circumstances hit them. Sometimes it's not of their own accord," said Erb, "but yet we have a responsi- bility as a community to help them." And the $1,170,000 will go a long way toward helping the nearly 50 agencies, programs and projects supported by the United Way Perth -Huron, he said. There's always more that could be done, suggested Erb, noting that every year there are some $150,000 worth of GIPSY 31111 Please join us to ce[e6rate tfie 8Oth Birthday of Marina Park oPitR I L Come & Go Tea Clinton United Church October 18, 2014 2:30 - 4:30 pm Saturday October 25th from 2 — 4:30 P.M. i Goderich Legion Upstairs dpi Best Wishes only please BlevatorAfcessidle 7 requests that simply can't be met. But he said he was confi- dent about this year's campaign. "It's a challenge, I won't deny that," he said of the ambitious fundraising target, "but I also think that this community is incredibly gen- erous, and we have a pretty darn good track record of meeting our goal." The organization is already off to a good start. Early donors, which the United Way calls "paceset- ters," have chipped in $80,000 so far (8% of the total), which is nearly halfway to lighting the first bulb on the progress thermometer downtown. More information about the United Way and its cam- paign can be found at www. perthhuron. unitedway. ca. POR MOVIE INFORMATION,., www.rnavielinks, 6.4da.:1-800-165-3438 @lb gme 1Lrnntr Sunday, October 19th Sam - ii am at Londesboro Hall • Eggs • Bacon • Sausage • Pancakes and Homefries Adults $7.00 Children Under 12 $3.00 Sponsored by Londesboro Lions Club. In support of community betterment.