ANNAPOLIS resident Galen Irving-Sachs has raised money for the Anne Arundel County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals through its largest annual fund-raising event, the Walk for the Animals, for six of the event's 11 years. For the past two years, he has been the event's top fund-raiser, collecting nearly $3,500 last year and more than $4,000 in this year's event, which was held May 19.
It's quite an accomplishment for anyone, but phenomenal for Galen, who is just 10 years old.
When he was 4, Galen saw a sign for the event and decided he wanted to participate. With support from his parents, Joel Sachs and Lee Irving, he devised different strategies and learned something new each year. This year, he set a goal of $6,543.21 and sought business sponsors in addition to the 100 people who made donations or helped him find donors. He did not reach his goal, but made a large contribution to the SPCA and learned a lot.
"When you set a big goal, you have to start early and go door to door," Galen said. "Last year, I raised $1,000 in four hours going door to door."
Sachs said he is "super-proud and super-thrilled" with what his son is doing. "People have come out of the woodwork to help him. I have learned a lot watching him run with his ideas."
In addition to individual sponsors, he had eight local business sponsors: Shades Unlimited, Soul Comfort, Chick and Ruth's Delly, Flowers by James, Calabria Salon, Chance Jewelry, Barrett Printing and City Dock Cafe.
During the event, Galen completed the five-mile walk at Quiet Waters Park with a friend's beagles, Allie and Spankie. They joined 1,600 walkers and 800 animals for a fun-filled Sunday morning walk.
Daisy Duke, a Weimaraner, and her owner, Jon Leyton, came from Morgantown, W.Va., to visit friends and stumbled on the event as they headed for the dog park at Quiet Waters. They completed the walk and left with Daisy wearing a little straw hat purchased from a group that rescues and finds homes for greyhound racing dogs.
"It was a great event," said Leyton. "Everybody was really friendly, and Daisy played with everyone. She would probably say there were 'so many smells, so little time.'"
Norma and Charlie Behlke of Mayo have six adopted cats. They make donations of food, toys and towels to the SPCA every year. This year was the first time they participated in the walk, and they were among the top fund-raisers.
"I got lots of support from family, friends, and co-workers," said Norma Behlke. "The SPCA has been around a long time and does a lot of good things for the animals. We try to do what we can to help."
Miniature schnauzer Rocky and his owner, Howard Katch of Annapolis, arrived a little late, but enjoyed themselves all the same. Rocky sported a blue bandana, received when Katch donated $25 at the sign-up table.
This year was the first time Buddy, a yellow Labrador retriever, participated in the walk. But his owners, Karen Schmidtt and Jeff Watkins of Crownsville, have volunteered for years.
"I absolutely love it," said Schmidtt. "And Buddy had a great time."
Julie Nefferdorf of Pasadena, owner of Spoiled Rotten Dogs Inc., participated in the "street festival" in the parking lot with her four Welsh corgis, Puck, Katie, Reagan and Cobe. Spoiled Rotten Dogs, which provides services such as dog-walking and pet-sitting, was one of several pet-related vendors and exhibitors at the event.
SPCA director of operations Sue Beatty, an Edgewater resident, said this year's event had the biggest sidewalk fair ever. She and Oscar Simon, a pug she adopted from the shelter a year ago, were busy helping run the event. She described the seven checkpoints, water and snacks for people and dogs, veterinary services, and plastic wading pools in which the dogs could cool off.
According to SPCA volunteer and events coordinator Christina Lopez, the four-hour event took five months to plan. But it was all worth it when organizers tallied up $125,000 in individual donations that will help the SPCA care for and find homes for the nearly 5,000 animals it houses annually. In addition, sponsors donated more than $50,000 in cash and in-kind contributions.
"Each year, we add something new," said Lopez. "This year it was the Kitty Photo Contest. People donated $5 to enter a picture of their cat."
Prizes were gift baskets prepared by Severna Park Girl Scout Jana James, who undertook the project to earn a badge. Baskets also were given to people adopting pets.
As successful as the event is, it takes on a life of its own at area schools during the year. Hundreds of sixth-graders from Central, Old Mill North, Brooklyn Park, Anne Arundel, and Severna Park middle schools use the walk as a service learning project. Some raise funds for the event while others collect donations of dog and cat food, toys, blankets and towels. Pupils from Central and Old Mill North middle schools organized and held their own fund-raising walks.
To find more information about the Anne Arundel County SPCA, visit www.aacspca.org or call 410-268-5285.