This year’s “Ski for the Animals” to benefit the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society was a financial success, according to organizers.
The event raised over $11,000 and drew hundreds of participants to the slopes at Blue Knob All Seasons Resort over the past two months. The long-term campaign involved students from a dozen area schools as well as the public and wrapped up with a special weekend of events held February 25 – 26.
CPHS Executive Director Dave Hopkins said the fundraiser did exceptionally well in spite of the on-off ski conditions.
“The folks at Blue Knob did a great job and really helped promote the event to the public and our school kids,” Hopkins noted.
In the school “ski-a-thon” part of the event, Keith Elementary came away as the top prize winner by collecting and donating $901 to CPHS. They took home the large “traveling trophy”, won last year by Frankstown Elementary, and will display it and defend it in next year’s campaign.
The public events drew record-breaking attendance with more than 40 participants in the slalom race and over two dozen entries in the “Ski-a-thon.” The “Celebrity Obstacle Race”, traditionally won by WTAJ-TV Chief Meteorologist and ski instructor Joe Murgo, was won by surprise entry Tim Tender of WJAC-TV.
A group of employees at Companion Animal Hospital in Roaring Spring again walked off with the first place prize of a two-night stay in a condominium courtesy of Blue Knob.
“We sincerely want to thank our major sponsors Blue Knob and Spokes-n-Skis as well as all our additional local business sponsors,” said Hopkins. “We could not continue to host this event without their help.”
Also, this is a reminder that CPHS is again looking for some photogenic pets for the 2007 “Picture Perfect Pet” Calendar featuring professional photographs of locally owned pets.
The “Picture Perfect Pet” calendar campaign involves fundraising on the part of participants who would like to compete to have their pets featured on the calendar.
Pet owners are invited to pick up information sheets at their local veterinary office or the CPHS shelter. They’ll be directed to selected professional photographers who will take studio shots of their pets. For $10 they’ll get one color 8 X 10 print and one 3 X 5 print. The prints can be used to help solicit donations throughout the spring in support of their animals.
The 12 pet owners who raise the most will have their animals featured as months of the calendar. Another group who raises the next highest amounts will be featured on one special calendar page.
Every pet entered will appear on the calendar in a collage form on the front and back covers.
The funds raised will go to help the homeless animals at the shelter.
Calendars will go on sale in the fall and sell for $7 each.
Interested pet owners need to register for the competition and photography sessions as soon as possible.
For more information, contact Hopkins at 942-2477.
