Gone to the Dogs: Lutheran church hosts fundraiser for humane society

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Faith Lutheran Church in Ormond Beach hosted its annual Hearts for Paws event Saturday.

BY EMILY BLACKWOOD | STAFF WRITER

Dogs of all sizes, coats and breeds came out to Faith Lutheran Church's fifth-annual Hearts for Paws event Saturday, tails wagging and tongues panting as they climbed obstacle courses, created paw art and enjoyed the day.

The event raised money for the Halifax Humane Society through silent auctions, food and a bake sale. Marla Kumpf, head worship director of Faith Lutheran enjoyed seeing the community participate in something for a good cause.

"Kids can bounce in a playhouse, and they can face-paint," Kumpf said. "Their dogs' paws can be printed on paper, and we've got the course out there that they can run. It's good for the animals. It's helps the society to take care of all the animals."

Probably the most entertaining event of the day was the dogs' pie-eating contest. Small and large dogs competed separately to see who could eat a bowl of Beggin' Strips topped with some whipped cream. Hunter, a rescue dachshund, won the small dogs' competition, and Princess, a lab, won the large dogs' competition. The prize of course was a bag of Beggin' Strips.

Ambar Saleh, a modern languages student at Bethune-Cookman University, was there dressed as a clown.

"Children need to be happy," Saleh said. "They need to feel love. Joy is a way of expressing love. This is my new calling. I thought at every celebration, we need to entertain."

Volunteers from the Halifax Humane Society were there with adoptable dogs to give information and accept donations. Debra Dougherty said she volunteers because she enjoys spending time with the dogs.

"I can't have a dog myself, so this is the next best thing," said Dougherty.

Faith Lutheran Church Reverend Dr. Marcia Cox said she was happy to host an event for the humane society.

"We are delighted to have a blessing of the pets," she said. "We do this so we can reach out to the community and let them know who we are. We get to meet so many people, and it's great for outsiders to get to know us. We want to be a friend to the community."