The Lucky Dog Walk for Recovery
Visit our Lucky Dog photo album by Phillip Jackman Gallery
It was still dark when everyone pulled up at The Stone Summit to set up. The sponsors and the band set up their tables and tents; the T-shirts, swag bags, and doggie bags were ready to go. The food table was ready, and the volunteers gathered to get their assignments; excitement and anticipation were in the air! Then, as the sun came up, walkers with their dogs, families, and friends started to arrive for the first annual Lucky Dog Walk for Recovery.
Despite some light drizzle, people continued to pour into the parking lot.
Everyone quickly moved through registration and sign-in and enjoyed food, fun, and fellowship before the walk. The kids and adults enjoyed petting the dogs greeting and making new friends. “Hopi” the miniature therapy pony, even showed up to walk to support The Extension!
At 8:00 am, everyone gathered at the starting line, and the walk was officially underway! Deputy Long and his K9 were there to help everyone cross George Busbee Parkway safely and onto the Noonday Creek Trail. About forty-five minutes later, the walkers started returning to the Stone Summit to enjoy music, prizes, and some Zaxby’s breakfast bites.
East Cobb Church of Christ and Holy Trinity’s Bible on Tap men’s group tied for the churches with the most participants. Marquee Insurance Group walked away with the prize for the business with the most participants. Tim Culbreath of the Bible on Tap Group won the award for raising the most in donations for the event, and Laura Al Marry’s daughter and their Corgi won the prize for best-dressed dog and owner. Everyone enjoyed coming together to support The Extension.
Penny Warren, one of our volunteers, commented, “I have been to a lot of charity events, and the Lucky Dog Walk is going down as one of my favorites. It was informal, and I loved the diversity of the volunteers and walkers. They all had the common theme of caring about others who are battling for a better life.”
“The Lucky Dog Walk was a great event, and it allowed me to get some much-needed exercise with my best friend Godiva, my chocolate Cocker Spaniel, and we got to raise money for The Extension, a great community organization.” David Schwickerath, participant
The biggest winners of the event are the men and women we serve at The Extension. A kind word, a hot meal, or just knowing some else cares makes all the difference when you’ve hit rock bottom. Because of all the people in our community who support us, our residents see real-life transformation that brings healing and hope to them and their families.
The resident who dressed up in the Lucky Dog costume for the event and was greatly touched by seeing the number of people who give back and love The Extension. He said, “they don’t know how much this actually means to us; COVID has been hard.”
We want to thank everyone who came out to make the inaugural Lucky Dog Walk for Recovery a BIG success. All proceeds from the event will give men and women in our community the opportunity for a better life. Please visit this link to view pictures from the event, and mark your calendar for September 10th, 2022, for the next annual Lucky Dog Walk for Recovery.
