VALLEY OF THE SUN WHWTC - WESTIE WALKS

Summer 2006, NEWS

Since our beginning in 1997, the Westie Foundation has received outstanding support from a number of individuals and Westie clubs. In the latter category, the national Westie club plus eleven regional Westie clubs became Founders of the Westie Foundation, meaning that they contributed $2,500 in our first five years of existence. This strong initial support enabled us to hit the ground running by funding several research projects almost immediately.

The support of the Westie clubs has continued to this day. We currently have Liaison members in every one of the U.S. regional clubs, plus Canada and five international clubs. Some regional clubs go above and beyond strong support. One in particular is the Valley of the Sun Westie club in Arizona. In an outstanding club effort, spearheaded by co-chairs Helen Bixenman and Nancy Stolsmark, the Valley of the Sun club has done a superb job of supporting the Westie Foundation over the past three years.

On April 30, 2006, the Valley of the Sun West Highland White Terrier Club (VSWHWTC) held its 3rd Annual Westie Walk to benefit the Westie Foundation of America (WFA). To date VSWHWTC as raised over $4,500 for the WFA through their annual walks.

The VSWHWTC Annual Westie Walk to benefit the WFA is a family-oriented event, featuring a walk around a lake in one of the local city parks, a Westie fun match, raffles and lunch. Each participating dog receives a bandanna made by Helen Bixenman. Trophies are given to the top 3 fund raisers. Last year’s “winners” were: Nancy Stolsmark, Cherilyn Elloumi and Helen Bixenman.

“The walks are a fun day out” says co-chairs Helen Bixenman and Nancy Stolsmark. Raffle participants have the opportunity to win terrific prizes which are donated by both the club Ways and Means Committee and individual members. This years pot luck lunch with chicken sponsored by the club was enjoyed by all.

The 2006 fundraising efforts were enhanced by holding a 50/50 raffle with $1.00 of every ticket sold donated to the WFA. In addition, the Club selected the WFA, as one of three charities, to received $100.00.

“Every year our goal is to exceed the previous amount raised for WFA. We are already planning for our 4th Annual Westie Walk to be held in January 2007,” says Bixenman.

Anyone interested in taking part in the VSWHWTC annual event or in receiving templates that the club has designed for their Walks are encouraged to reach Helen Bixenman at hbixenman@cox.net.

In fairness, the first regional club to sponsor a Westie Walk to support the Westie Foundation was the WHWTC of Northern New Jersey, where they raised over $1,000 for the Foundation. Westie Walks are just one of many ways that regional clubs have raised money to support the Foundation’s research and education efforts. They are always a lot of fun, and represent a great way to meet other Westie owners for the first time.