The Humane Animal Rescue Team’s (HART) youngest volunteer is hoping to be the top fundraiser for next month’s Sneakers & Strays event.
So far, 11-year-old Cassidy Purshega has raised $600 in pledges for the five kilometre run/walk with a goal of reaching $2,500.
For the last decade, HART has been rescuing stray and abandoned dogs from rural areas surrounding Edmonton (including First Nations) and placing them in permanent homes.
“I heard that HART needs helpers because they don’t have a shelter and they have rescues and they have nothing,” Cassidy says. “It’s not like the humane society because the humane society has a shelter and HART doesn’t, so they need money to help their dogs to get better. So I thought maybe I should do this and help them.”
Last year, Purshega raised over $1,000 for the Second Chance Animal Rescue Society (SCARS), and she did it after learning about the event with less than a week to go.
“For four days solid we hit the pavement and she won an iPod nano,” says mom Karen Purshega. “She got the second-highest prize.”
The mother and daughter are out knocking on doors again this year raising money for Sneakers & Strays.
“I work and then at night I go out with her and try to get pledges, which is actually a really hard thing to do,” Karen says. “We go door-to-door every night.”
Cassidy, who will be entering Grade 6 at Sir Alexander Mackenzie Elementary School, began working with HART at the beginning of July after Karen purchased items in one of their online auctions. When Cassidy wanted to volunteer with the organization, she needed an adult to accompany her and that’s how Karen became involved.
“I’m passionate about dogs too, obviously, or I wouldn’t have them and I think it’s a great organization,” Karen says.
Sneakers & Strays will be Cassidy’s first five kilometre event, and she is looking forward to some canine company on the walk. Cassidy will be walking with one of HART’s rescue dogs. She will also be helping out with the post-walk activities.
“The best thing I’m doing is I’m the assistant for the kissing booth,” Cassidy says.
The event will feature a station staffed by HART dogs for those humans desiring a doggie smooch.
Along with collecting pledges, the mother-daughter duo have been distributing event posters, collecting items for the silent auction and Cassidy has stuffed 400 goodie bags for the Sept. 7 event. They have also been out promoting the organization.
“We have done events every weekend,” Karen says.
The Purshega ladies say that they will continue to volunteer with HART after Sneakers & Strays.
Anyone wishing to make a pledge for Cassidy’s walk can contact mom Karen at [email protected].
Sneakers & Strays goes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Buena Vista Dog Park in Edmonton. The five kilometre run/walk will be followed by prizes and activities including a silent auction, a bake sale and dog carnival games. Visit the HART website at www.humaneanimalrescueteam.ca for more information.
