NEWS RELEASE
GEORGIAN TRIANGLE HUMANE SOCIETY
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Retired teacher, Valerie Green, is what we call a Jill of all trades at the Georgian Triangle Humane Society. Although she has only been volunteering at the organization since August 2018, she has seamlessly jumped into many roles with both feet in a very short amount of time. From dog care, animal transport and events, to adoption counsellor (now VIRTUAL adoption counsellor), foster mom and Humane Education, no job is too big or too small for Val. Did we mention that she is also a donor and has recently adopted one of her very own foster dogs, Sera?
It’s apparent that Val likes to keep busy. With the majority of our on-site volunteer roles temporarily on hold due to COVID-19, Val was looking to fill the void left from being relieved of her in-person dog care and Humane Education duties, so she enthusiastically joined the 2020 Walkathon committee.
This year’s committee has the monumental task of taking a well-known and well-attended event (2019 marked the 7th Annual GTHS Walkathon) and turning it on its head.
The 2020 GTHS Walkathon Your Way is going virtual. This will be the first event of its kind for the GTHS, which means that the committee has their work cut out for them – from a logistical standpoint, it certainly will not be a templated event.
To top it off, our fundraising goal is bigger than any previous Walkathon: $70,000.
“The revenue loss from having to temporarily close our programs such as adoptions and the Treasure Tails store, both of which are currently back up and running in a modified capacity, means this Walkathon fundraiser is more important than ever before.”, says Anna Schuett, Communications & Marketing Coordinator at the GTHS. “In 2019, we were able to help 1,986 animals who came to us and we anticipate this number to grow annually.”
When we asked Val why she decided to join the Walkathon committee in addition to her other roles she stated:
“It was at the GTHS Walkathon three years ago that I learned about this wonderful fundraising event. I have been participating in it ever since, and in addition to this, volunteer for GTHS in a variety of capacities. The Walkathon is an amazing way to connect with your pet and other pet owners that have the same passion. The GTHS does amazing work for animal welfare and the Walkathon is an opportunity that the community can help raise funds to support the very important work they do. I am grateful to be involved with such a great organization that supports animals, animal owners and the communities they are in. It has been a very rewarding experience being involved with this committee to execute this event! “
Val embodies compassion for pets and people which is our primary value at the Georgian Triangle Humane Society. Not only does Val’s volunteer work benefit the dogs she works with, but it also truly benefits the members of our community – the youth in her Humane Education classes, the adopters of the dogs she has fostered and the financially limited families who have taken part in our Pet Retention Program, just to name a few.
We want to thank Val, and the entire 2020 GTHS Walkathon Your Way committee, for personifying our mission.
We invite everyone – young, old, near and far – to register for the 2020 Walkathon Your Way. Your walking life is unique to you and your Walkathon should be too! 1K-10k, 50-2,500 steps, walk, get active, move your body anywhere and anytime during Walkathon Week to raise critically needed funds for animals in need. Challenge yourself and get creative!
2020 GTHS Walkathon Your Way
DATE: Aug. 5 – 12, 2020
REGISTER: https://www.gths.ca/friends-for-life-walkathon-2020/
CONTACT: [email protected]
#GTHSWalkYourWay2020
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