DEARBORN — Exchange Club of Dearborn volunteers will take to the streets April 18 for a collection drive at key intersections including Michigan Avenue in support of the Dearborn Animal Shelter’s 10th annual Mutt Strut & Pet Expo.
Volunteers will have a special Times-Herald newspaper “Mutt Strut” edition available for any donation offered. All proceeds will benefit adoptable animals in the care of the shelter.
This is the fourth year that the Exchange Club will be lending a paw. Volunteers traditionally collect on the streets the day of Mutt Strut, and they will again in this year. But this is the first year they decided to pre-promote via this unique newspaper drive spearheaded by the Times-Herald.
“Our members and volunteers are excited about lending a hand again this spring,” said Pat D’Ambrosio, Exchange Club member and collection-drive organizer. “Michigan Avenue in Dearborn is a busy route and reaching these drivers could raise awareness about the shelter, Mutt Strut and much needed funds for the homeless animals.”
Adorned with bright vests, the collection team will be stationed at major intersections in Dearborn, including Michigan Avenue from Outer Drive to Oakwood Boulevard.
The Mutt Strut & Pet Expo takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 9 at Ford Field Park, 22051 Cherry Hill. It is a pledge-driven dog walk and community wide animal celebration day. It is the largest gathering of pet fans in the area.
Mutt Strut highlights include the walk beginning at 11 a.m., and a midway of vendors with services and products for pets and humans. There is a Doggie Fun Zone with contests, games, and activities for participants and their dogs, an adopted-pet Celebration Tent to honor adoption alumni, and doggie competitions, including a K9 Run Fun and former Detroit Tiger great Milt Wilcox’s Ultimate Air Dogs dock-diving. Entertainment and free family fun events take place all day long. And food trucks will be on hand serving a great variety of street cuisine.
To register for the walk, go to www.DearbornAnimals.org.
Exchange Club of Dearborn is the local chapter of the National Exchange Club, a 100-year-old service organization. Members participate in fundraising activities and outreach to support local youth and other nonprofit organizations to improve lives for those in Dearborn and surrounding communities.
Call 734-355-8114 to learn more about the Exchange Club.
b
The Dearborn Animal Shelter at 2661 Greenfield Road and is operated by the Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information about the animal shelter, go to www.DearbornAnimals.org.