Courtesy of Lori Pieraerts, president of the Pickens County Anti-Drug Coalition
Dog Day in the Park – April 18 at Lee Newton Park
News Release – 4/6/09
Pickens County Anti-Drug Coalition
With solid support from Pickens County citizens, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office is moving close to the $20,000 goal needed to bring Blecky, a trained drug dog, to Pickens County to help deputies sniff out drugs and put more drug dealers in jail.
“If enough people and their dogs come to Dog Day in the Park, on April 18 at Lee Newton Park, we can make the phone call to Blecky’s training officer in Florida to bring Blecky to Pickens County!”, states Deputy Brandi Strawn with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.
Registration for the dog contests begins at 10:00 A.M., with the first contest taking place at 11:00 A.M. Contests will continue until 4:00 P.M.
At Dog Day in the Park, there will be many opportunities to contribute to the Drug Dog Fund, while at the same time having lots of fun”, says Matt Moore, a member of the Pickens County Anti-Drug Coalition.
Deputy Strawn reports that the response to the requests for donations has been overwhelming. Close to $15,000 has been raised, which means that a big crowd at Dog Day in the Park could put the Drug Dog Fund over the top.
For $10.00, an owner can enter his or dog in one of the contests: Best Looking Dog; a Dog Obstacle Course; Best Trained Dog; Best Canine Vocalist; or Best Tail Wagger. For two more dollars, a dog can enter an additional contest.
Proceeds from dog related vendors such as micro-chipping, dog photography, Pickens Animal Rescue dog adoptions, dog therapy demonstrations, and a rabies clinic will support the drug dog. Specially made Dog Bone Cookies will be available.
The public’s support of human-related activities at Dog Day in the Park will help bring Blecky to Pickens County.
For a small donation, you can try to give Sheriff Donnie Craig a nice spring time swim in the Dunking Booth.
“Simple Southern Man”, a southern rock band, will provide entertainment.
The Talking Rock Baptist Church will sponsor a Cake Walk, with all proceeds for Blecky.
With Pickens County merchants donating supplies for the food concessions, 100% of the purchase of a hot dog, hamburger, or soft drink will support Blecky’s arrival in Pickens County.
One of the best ways the public can support a drug dog for Pickens County is to donate $2.00 for a raffle ticket for multiple drawings for human and dog related prizes. Tickets are on sale at the Sheriff’s Office, Anti-Drug Coalition volunteers, and from Sheriff’s Office staff. Tickets will be available all day in April 18.
The financial support for a drug dog is an example of the strong citizen/law enforcement partnership that exists in Pickens County,” states Lori Pieraerts, President of the Pickens County Anti-Drug Coalition.
“Citizen support can help provide law enforcement with the tools they need, such as a drug dog. Citizen support also is a great moral booster for law enforcement personnel; they truly appreciate the involvement and concern of citizens for the work of law enforcement officers to protect and serve the citizens of Pickens County,” continues Lori.
“Let us all come out to Dog Day in the Park and help bring Blecky to her new home in Pickens County,” exclaims Andrea Meador, who is also with the Anti-Drug Coalition and an organizer Dog Day in the Park.
“I urge everyone to donate $2.00 or more one or several Raffle Tickets, and join the many businesses and individuals who are donating funds to help our law enforcement officers to rid our streets and schools of drugs by bringing Blecky to Pickens County”
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and the Pickens County Anti-Drug Coalition are co-sponsoring Dog Day in the Park. The Sheriff’s Office deeply appreciates the support of citizens of Pickens County.
