Jordan Cuddemi
News Editor
Community members and their canines participated in a half-mile walk around the Monadnock Humane Society (MHS) grounds, kicking off the 24 annual “Walk for the Animals.”
The walk, held on Sunday, Sept. 25 brought together a crowd of all ages to raise money for the nearly 2,000 animals that walk through MHS’s doors each year.
Event Coordinator Joyce Tilton was pleased with the turnout and said the event contributes to “another day that we can keep the shelter doors open.”
“What we have is an incredible facility for the animals,” Tilton said. “People are blown away by our shelter.”
Tilton explained that when individuals from other shelters visit MHS they are taken back by the low stress level of each and every animal at the humane society.
Despite the “pretty good turnout,” Tilton said, there are never enough people. “This is a cause that needs to be supported, so the more people the better.”
Community member John Dash was one of the hundred individuals who turned out for the “Walk for the Animals.”
“The Humane Society brought a lot of happiness into my family’s life,” Dash said.
Dash’s family adopted, “Bella,” a Labrador-Pit bull mix, from MHS five years ago.
“I feel we are repaying the happiness by making donations and staying for the day,” Dash said.
In addition to the half-mile walk, activities such as pony rides, face painting, games, and concession stands lined the humane society grounds.
KSC senior and MHS volunteer, Ashley Tempone donated her time and money during the “Walk for the Animals.” Tempone said this year was the first time she had attended the walk, and was pleased to be able to do her part in raising money for the animals.
“People don’t think to give money to the animals in this hard recession,” Tempone said. “It is a really good cause and money is always needed.”
Monadnock Community Hospital (MCH) employee Peggy Bedore understands this plea for assistance and that was why she was MHS’s top fundraiser contributor for this year’s walk. Bedore raised $3,285 for the animals at MHS.
“A lot of people I know are animal lovers,” Bedore said.
Bedore’s former physician sent the largest donation to her campaign and, along with her co-workers at MCH, Bedore was able to raise a large amount of money for the animals at MHS. “My co-workers and I would do anything for our four-legged friends,” Bedore said.
Bedore has been a volunteer at MHS since the facility opened in 2000. “Raising money is a way to contribute to a facility that has so many expenses.” Bedore stated MHS receives no funding from the federal government, so the majority of its funds are donations.
The MHS lodges lost, abused, abandoned, or stray animals and without money the humane society can’t help these animals, Bedore said, “Donate, it’s a tax deduction.”
Overall, $17,000 was raised at this year’s Walk for the Animals.
Sponsors of this year’s walk included 103.7 KNE-FM, Wink Country 98.7, WKBK 104.1, Sunny 97.7, One Stop Country Pet Supply, Subaru of Keene, and The Keene Sentinel.
Jordan Cuddemi can be contacted at jcuddemi@keene-equinox.com.
