Strut Across America — A great opportunity
to raise funds for ESRA nationwide!
On Saturday, September 24, 2011, a special pack of ESRA volunteers and their dogs will participate for the second year in Best Friends Animal Society's "Strut Your Mutt" event on the West Coast. Last year over $26,000 was raised through this special event. Pack Leaders Belle Sprague and Kathy Engberg are aiming to match that amount or reach even higher this year!
ESRA supporters all over the country can help by joining the California strutters or organizing their own local "strut" and you won't even have to break a sweat if you prefer to "strut virtually!" Read on to decide how you can best join this great fun event.
Step 1: Choose your "Participant Type"
- Individuals: $30 ($35 day-of)
- Couples: $50 (applies to two people age 13 and over who are participating in the Walk)
- Kids 12 and under with t-shirt: $20 ($25 day-of)
- Kids 12 and under without t-shirt: FREE
- Virtual Participant: FREE (does not include a t-shirt but t-shirts can be purchased)
SPECIAL NOTE: Virtual Participants are NOT attending the official Strut Your Mutt event in Los Angeles and therefore do not need to pay a fee when they register online to join the ESRA Dog Pack. They may however choose to participate in a local "strut" or special fundraising event in other regions which may have a modest registration fee or suggested donation. Organizers of extra events will be able to provide details if you're interested in knowing more. We'll list other special ESRA SYM events and contact information for their organizers at the bottom of this page.
Step 2: Register online on the SYM website
Everyone must be registered to participate in the event and join the fundraising effort, even the "virtual" walkers. Click this big red square SYM logo and you'll go right to ESRA's page on the SYM website. On ESRA's page, look for the "Join This Dog Pack" button at the upper right or near the bottom of the page and click. When you're asked, be sure to indicate that you want to join the ESRA Dog Pack.
Step 3: Customize your own fundraising page on the SYM website
Once you have joined the pack, either as an official walker or a "virtual" participant, you'll have a page on the Strut Your Mutt website that you can personalize in many ways to launch your own plea for your friends and family to raise funds for ESRA. (You don't absolutely have to customize your page; the default design might be fine for you.) Take a look at the page California Coordinator TERRY SPRAGUE has created to see what fun you can have with your personal fundraising page.
OR … SIMPLY MAKE A DONATION BY SUPPORTING SOMEONE ALREADY IN THE ESRA DOG PACK
Go to the ESRA Strut Your Mutt page and click on any name on the ESRA Dog Pack list and you'll have the chance to "support" that pack member with your online donation. Wouldn't it be great to see long lists of donors on everyone's page?
The Main Event, of course!
The featured event is the Strut Your Mutt on September 24 in Los Angeles — a leisurely, scenic one-mile morning walk at Pan Pacific Park in the Fairfax district. After the "strut," there will be a festival that includes doggie yoga and massage, photo opportunities, free consultations with trainers and pet specialists, complimentary treats for your dogs, fun activities and contests, refreshments and more! It promises to be a great event for those who are close enough to join in the fun and participate!
Remember Strut Your Mutt 2010?
To check out the report of last year's success and a photo gallery of last year's ESRA "strutters" go to http://www.springerrescue.org/sym_report.html.
A Special "Walk-About" in the Greensboro NC area
Barbara King, ESRA volunteer in North Carolina, is gathering a special group of Springers and their families to participate in an "off-leash strut" accompanied by a knowledgeable dog trainer who will add his wisdom and commentary to the dogs' interactions as we stroll for an hour through fenced fields, a woodland trail, and possibly end with a splash in a country pond. The basic philosophy is to "let the dogs be dogs" in a safe environment while we observe and learn. There will be a modest pre-registration donation for ESRA per participating Springer and there may be a need to limit the number participating due to the nature of the event. Email ESRACarolinas@gmail.com for more information.
Zumbathons on August Wednesdays in Washington
Not on Strut day but a chance to get in shape for it …
Kathy Armstrong in Washington is welcoming her fitness friends to join in on the Zumba craze and support ESRA at the same time! The proceeds from her Zumba classes on the five Wednesdays in August will be earmarked for her goal as a member of ESRA's Strut Your Mutt team. Want more information? Email lawkathy@hotmail.com
Have a special SYM event you want to promote?
Email Belle Sprague at belle@springerrescue.org.