Community Education
Two teenagers who met in preschool have been elevating money for native nonprofit CHEW Dog Rescue for the previous three years by means of a fundraiser known as Books for Barks. They took over the occasion when the unique creator needed to step apart, they usually’ve been working laborious every year to obtain books for the sale and discover new methods to extend the quantity they donate to the rescue.
It had been a summer time occasion. This 12 months the 2 fundraiser coordinators, Maddie Armstrong, and Briar Honn, determined to alter it up and maintain Books for Barks occasion through the Halloween weekend.
Books for Barks is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 28 and 29, within the Stroh’s Community Room at Wilco on Hunt Street. It features a raffle, a canine costume contest with a prize, treats for dogs and sweet for teenagers.
Longtime associates
Armstrong is a junior at Gig Harbor High School and Honn is a freshman at School of the Arts in Tacoma. The two saved in contact, even after they went their separate methods as they entered elementary faculty.
Armstrong has been attending CHEW adoption occasions along with her mother since she was 5 years old.
“Our family has adopted two CHEW dogs, so I was glad to be able to support the rescue,” Armstrong mentioned. “CHEW’s president, Sherette Main, asked if I would be interested in taking it over.”
Her mom Heidi Armstrong mentioned they wished associates to assist run the fundraiser, and instantly considered the Honns.
Maddie Armstrong, left, and Frankie Kelley, when Kelley visited the sale at Wilco in 2022. Photo courtesy of Jessie Kelley
“Briar and Clare were the first people we thought of, knowing their love of books, and huge hearts for animals,” Heidi Armstrong mentioned.
Briar Honn mentioned the sale is an effective way for lecturers to fill their classroom libraries. The costs are decrease than you’ll discover anyplace else.
Active teenagers
Both teenagers take part in a wide range of extracurricular actions. Armstrong dances on the Harbor Dance and Performance Center and has been on aggressive groups since she was 8 years old. Honn is closely concerned in theater and is a member of the School of the Arts tech crew.
The two have realized worthwhile expertise by taking up the fundraising venture, mentioned Briar Honn’s mom Clare.
“This has taught them social skills, money handling, and customer service skills, leadership, and community service,” Clare Honn mentioned. “They have faced fears and anxieties approaching local businesses for donations.”
Invitation Bookshop on Olympic Drive agreed to have a donation field.
“Maddie and Briar approached us three years ago about being a collection location for books donated to the fundraiser,” mentioned Allyson Howard. She and her husband Jason opened the e book retailer in 2020.
Maddie Armstrong and Briar Honn held the sale in August 2019 on the sidewalk outdoors of Mud Bay Pet Store on Point Fosdick Drive. That summer time, Briar Honn (left) was going into fifth grade and Maddie Armstrong (proper) was going into sixth grade. It was their first 12 months taking cost of the fundraiser.
Photo courtesy of Heidi Armstrong
“Honestly, we have the easiest role in this,” Howard mentioned. “The real work is all done by them. But the work they are doing is very much in line with our values — local teens supporting a local nonprofit with contributions from the local community. We also want to get behind anything that promotes literacy and increases access to books. We recognize that not everyone can afford a library full of brand new books. Fundraisers like this, along with our used bookstores and Little Free Libraries, are all part of making books accessible while also emphasizing the importance of supporting local and building community.”
Something to CHEW on
Books for Barks proceeds assist CHEW Dog Rescue present well being look after native dogs who’ve been surrendered for rehoming, mentioned Gloria Stewart, vice chairman of CHEW. Books for Barks just isn’t the one supply of money for the nonprofit, however Stewart mentioned it makes a distinction.
“So many of these dogs are not up to date on shots, some have bad teeth, and it’s $1,500 to get a dog’s teeth cleaned,” she mentioned. “CHEW is all-volunteer, so no one gets paid, and all of the money goes back to the dogs, to get them healthy.”
The rescue takes in round 100 dogs yearly. It pairs the canine with a foster home and tries to get them right into a loving everlasting home that’s the proper match for the canine, Stewart mentioned.
Maddison Armstrong and Briar Honn offered Sherette Main (CHEW president on the time) with a large examine in 2019.
Photo courtesy of Heidi Armstrong
“We have about 35 people who foster, and it rotates because we have people who go on vacations, snow birds, jobs, and we’d love to have more families willing to foster,” she mentioned.
The rescue pays for all essential veterinary charges. It will assist with meals prices and supply issues like canine leashes, toys, beds, and just about something a canine may wish, Stewart mentioned.
Both Armstrong and Honn hope to surpass the earlier quantity they raised for the rescue, which was $2,035.
“Our goal this year is to beat that, but we’re proud of any amount we raise,” Armstrong mentioned.
For extra details about CHEW Dog Rescue, go to chewdogrescue.org.
Books for Barks
What: Fundraiser benefiting CHEW Dog Rescue
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 28 and 29
Where: Wilco, 3408 Hunt St., N.W., Gig Harbor
The 2021 Books for Barks fundraiser on the Stroh’s Community Event Hall at Wilco Farm Store on Hunt Street N.W. Photo courtesy of Clare Honn
