Escondido Humane Society
Saving Lives 4 Paws At A Time
Paws in the Park - A Walk for the Escondido Humane Society
NEW!!! Participant Guide NEW!!!
Make a general donation to Paws in the Park
Our Sponsors
In-Kind Donors
Yes, I want to participate in Paws in the Park – A Walk for the Escondido Humane Society
Download a printable Registration Form (Adobe PDF Format)
Download the Participant Guide (Adobe PDF Format)
SAVING LIVES FOUR PAWS AT A TIME
The Escondido Humane Society provides treatment and care for over 10,000 animals each year in north inland San Diego County. This past year, EHS was honored to be part of a local coalition of humane societies who helped care for homeless dogs rescued from the Gulf Region after Hurricane Katrina. Every animal that enters our shelter needs food, vaccinations, love, toys, and most importantly, they will need us to find them a new loving home. As a private, non-profit organization, we receive no government funding or funding from a national humane organization. The care of the Katrina dogs, and all of our animals, depends on support and funding from the generous people of San Diego County and beyond. Our goal this year is to raise $100,000 (net income) from Paws in the Park in order to support our animals throughout the year. With your help, we will be able to care for even more animals in our community. Thank you for helping us do what we do!
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
The Escondido Humane Society is a private non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1915. The Society relies on donations, grants, and sponsorships to provide many beneficial services to the community. Proceeds raised from events like the Paws in the Park help the Society care for thousands of animals each year and bring animals and people together through a variety of programs.
We want to ensure that you have a successful "FUN"draising experience and hope that these ideas will help you achieve your goals! If you have a fundraising method that you have found successful in the past and would like to share your experience and expertise, we all always happy to learn of more helpful fundraising tips. Good luck and have fun!!
Set a fundraising goal, and aim high! EHS’ goal is to raise $100,000 (net income) at Paws in the Park 2006 to provide support for our animals year-round, and we need your help! Share your personal goal with your donors so that they can help you achieve it!
Fundraising is easy with our online fundraising tool! Customize your own personal webpage and send out e-mails to your friends, family, co-workers, and more! The credit card donations will start rolling in, even as you’re sleeping! Click here to customize your own webpage.
Send Letters! Go the old fashioned, but tried and true route and mail letters to everyone telling them about the event and asking for a donation to be sent within 10 days. Enclosed a self-addressed stamped envelope to increase your response rate!
Matching Gifts! Check to see if your company offers matching gifts; this is a good way to double your money. Make sure to turn in the proper paperwork to EHS! If your company doesn’t offer a formal matching gifts program, ask your boss for a company donation anyway!
Have a sale! Offer up cookies or other baked goods at work or to your friends and family for a small gift. Most people can be tempted to donate with food. Or, collect your old items and have a yard sale or other fundraising event!
Ask businesses! Ask the businesses you frequent for a donation, such as your favorite restaurant, your doctor, dentist, or drycleaner. Ask your hairstylist to donate an afternoon of her/his time to cut hair and donate all proceeds to the event. Don’t forget to advertise!
Get the kids involved! Get your children and their classmates involved! Let the kids’ come up with a fundraising idea, such as collecting spare change or recyclables, and then donate the money to the animals! You and your kids will feel great about helping the animals.
Celebrations! If a birthday or holiday is coming up, communicate to your family and friends that in lieu of a gift, you would like them to make a donation to the Escondido Humane Society.
Host a fundraising Pawty! Have a theme, and make it fun! Ask people to pledge their support that night.
Start Early! Give yourself plenty of time to get started and to meet your goal.
And lastly…Don't be afraid to ask! Remember that you can’t raise money if you don’t ask! You are raising money for a good cause, not for yourself. Be proud of what you are doing, and your supporters will be proud of you too! Don’t forget to thank your sponsors after the event!!
Happy Fundraising, and thank you for your dedication to the animals of the Escondido Humane Society!
Paws in the Park - A Walk for the Escondido Humane Society
Date: Sunday, March 26, 2006
Time: 8 AM - Noon
Location: Kit Carson Park in Escondido, 3333 Bear Valley Parkway. Click here for map and directions. (Link to directions page.)
DESCRIPTION: Paws in the Park is a community event to raise money for the Escondido Humane Society, and to celebrate the bond between people and their pets. The event begins on the west side of Kit Carson Park, directly across from Westfield Shoppingtown in Escondido. Over 1,000 adults and children bring their dogs for a 1.5 to 2.5 mile stroll to benefit animals and people in need. Walk registrants receive prizes, which vary depending on the amount of pledges raised. After the walk, please stay for a fun-filled day with entertainment, vendor booths, refreshments, arts and crafts, games for your four-legged friends and more!
EVENT SCHEDULE:
8:00 AM - Registration Opens & Vendor Booths Open
8:15 AM - Entertainment by Star 94.1 and Fox 6 personalities
8:30 AM - Contests: Trading Faces - Owner and Dog Look-alike Contest / American Canine Idol - Doggie Talent Contest
9:00 AM - Walk kicks off!
10:15 AM - Raffle #1
10:30 AM - Raffle #2 / Demonstration by INXS Flyball Racing Team
10:45 AM - Raffle #3
11:00 AM - Early Bird Registration Drawing / Prizes awarded for Top Fundraisers
11:15 AM - Raffle #4 / Overnight stay at Pala Casino Resort, including dinner for two! / Booster Bath – nice for you, and your dog!
Ongoing throughout the day
8 AM – NOON - Browsing and shopping at over 35 vendor booths! Playing games at the Dog Bone Toss and Tossin’ Paws booths. Face Painting
Be sure to bring cash or checks to buy raffle tickets and goodies from our many vendors, many of whom are donating a portion of their proceeds back to EHS!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL WALKERS
Everyone must check-in the morning of the walk, including pre-registered walkers. If you have not registered by the day of the event, please register that morning.
DOGGIE GUIDELINES
In order for all participants to have an enjoyable, rewarding experience at Paws in the Park, please abide by the following event guidelines:
Dogs are the only type of animal friends allowed to come to the event. Dogs must:
- be leashed at all times and kept under control
- have current vaccinations, including rabies
- be sociable with other dogs and people
Please:
- come prepared to clean up after your dog
- keep female dogs in heat at home
- bring your pet only if it enjoys being around other pets and people
Water for dogs will be served community style. A special park permit allows dogs at the park during the event only. All dogs must leave the park at the conclusion of the event at 12pm.
Have a dog that will be happier at home? Don’t have a dog at all, but love animals and want to participate anyway? Why not ask a friend to join you and walk in honor of your special animal friends, perhaps your cat or your parrot. Please leave these special pets at home, but instead, carry a photo of your beloved animal to share with everyone!
Prizes will be awarded to participants based on their fundraising achievements! We’ve lined up some fabulous prizes to reward your fundraising efforts on behalf of the Escondido Humane Society! Check these out:
$50-99 Cool event t-shirt
$100-249 Cool t-shirt for you, a cute bandanna for your dog, and a photo for both of you!
$250-499 All of the above, plus 2 months of Advantage
At $500 and above, participants receive all of the above listed prizes plus gift cards to Westfield mall in the following increments:
$500-999 a $25 gift card
$1000-1499 a $50 gift card
$1500-2499 a $75 gift card
$2500-3999 a $100 gift card
$4000+ a $125 gift card
AND ….our top three overall fundraisers will be rewarded with fabulous overnight stays at the pet friendly Ocean Villa Inn (link to www.oceanvillainn.com) in Ocean Beach plus other great prizes! Don’t be left out of the fun – set your goals high to help the animals! Click Here (link to www.firstgiving.com/ehs) to start your own personal fundraising webpage if you haven’t done so already!
Are you interested in helping make Paws in the Park a HUGE success? We would love to have you join us! There are different volunteer opportunities available, both before the event and on the actual day of the event. Please review a list of the current volunteer positions and let us know which positions are of interest to you.
Before the Walk
- Event committee – help out recruiting sponsors, vendors, and planning for logistics, entertainment, etc. Click here for full list of opportunities! (Link to committee positions document)
- Distribution - distribute Walk brochures and posters throughout San Diego County
- Set Up - help set up for the event on Saturday, March 25 th at Kit Carson Park
Event Day
- Set Up / Break Down - help setting up or breaking down the event
- Registration - help check in walkers and collect donations
- Course Marshals – be stationed as a guide along the course route and help direct participants
- Parking & Traffic Control – directing participants, vendors and volunteers
- Accounting - help track and count money
- Prize Tent - hand out t-shirts and incentive prizes to walkers
- Doggie Contests – organize pets and their owners before, during and after contests
- Water Patrol - help provide replenishment for thirsty 4-legged and 2-legged walkers
- Refreshments – serving food to volunteers and participants
- Puppy Patrol - ensure dogs stay on their leashes and that owners pick up after their dogs
- Vendor Assistant – helping vendors unload and set up their supplies
- Volunteer Check In – register volunteers and direct them to their assigned jobs
- Entertainment - we need clowns, face painters, dog masseuses, magicians, etc...
- Floaters – will be assigned as needed on event day
- Ambassadors – greet participants and answer questions
Click here to register for as a volunteer for Paws in the Park! Be sure to indicate which area you want to help with. You will be contacted with more specific details about your volunteer assignment at least two weeks prior to the event.
We are still actively seeking sponsors and vendors for Paws in the Park, and welcome your interest. Sponsorship Levels range from $500 to $20,000 and offer a wide variety of benefits for you and your company. Download a vendor application or a PAWS Sponsorship Form. Contact Joanne Eichler at (760) 888-2235 for more information.
From the North: Take I-15 south to Via Rancho Parkway exit. Go right, and then turn left onto Beethoven at the light. Follow Beethoven into the Westfield Shoppingtown Parking Lot near JC Penney. Park and follow signs to Kit Carson Park.
From the South: Take I-15 north to Via Rancho Parkway exit. Go right, and then turn left onto Beethoven at the light. Follow Beethoven into the Westfield Shoppingtown Parking Lot near JC Penney. Park and follow signs to Kit Carson Park.
Donations may be mailed to:
Escondido Humane Society
Attn: Paws in the Park
3450 E. Valley Parkway
Escondido , CA 92027
For problems or questions with your online registration or personal fundraising page, please go to ‘Help’ on your fundraising page, or contact Firstgiving.com at [email protected] or 781-863-6166.
For questions or information about the event, you can contact us at (760) 888-2235 or [email protected]