The seventh annual Howling Holidays Dog Walkathon is set for Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Hawaiian Paradise Park Activity Center on Maku‘u, between 17th and 16th streets. Registration for the fun benefit for the nonprofit Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary starts 8 a.m.
The seventh annual Howling Holidays Dog Walkathon is set for Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Hawaiian Paradise Park Activity Center on Maku‘u, between 17th and 16th streets. Registration for the fun benefit for the nonprofit Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary starts 8 a.m.
“Please, come and join us for a fun-filled day with your dog, or dog team, at Howling Holidays, which benefits our no-kill sanctuary for homeless animals,” said Rainbow Friends President Mary Rose Krijgsman. There will be a sponsored 1- to 2-mile dog walk, photos with Santa, contests, demonstrations in agility, search-and-rescue, a frisbee competition, ono food, live music, a silent auction, lucky-number drawings, a hay ride with Shear Magic Pet Salon and “just plain old fun with all those dogs,” she said.
“The entry donation for the dog walk is $10, and only $2.50 for any additional dog within your ohana,” said Krijgsman.
“Rainbow Friends has an annual budgetary need of around $125,000. If there are 100 people, each paying $10, we make $1,000. Wonderful! If there are 100 people with $100 in sponsorships, we make $10,000. Fantastic! If there are 100 people with $500 in sponsorships, we make $50,000. Amazing! If there are 100 people with $1,000 in sponsorships, we make the magical $100,000,” she said.
“We can do it! It could happen easily. It just rolls in from people who love animals. However, there is some incentive for you dog walkers: We have prizes.”
Grand prize is a suite for two for one night at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. Second-place prize is a “Circle of Fire Tour” for two aboard Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. Third-place prize is a zipline adventure for two from Hawaii Zipline Tours.
“These are fantastic prizes for two people, so be sure to include your human partner in this dog walk, collecting donations. Maybe even make it a competition,” she said. “And remember, you are not asking your friends and family for money for you, you are asking for a donation for animals, who need rehabilitation or medical assistance, animals who have never known a home and can find one through the sanctuary.”
To reach the HPP Activity Center, turn onto Maku‘u and follow the signs. For more information, please call 982-5110, visit www.rainbowfriends.org or email@rainbowfriends.org.