Dog Days group seeks volunteers for event

By Virginia Ross

A luncheon also is planned for the cleanup volunteers.

EAST PALESTINE — The East Palestine Dog Days Committee is looking for volunteers for its communitywide Day of Giving on Saturday.

The committee is organizing projects for volunteers, including painting, weeding and mulching, general cleanup and landscaping. Many of the activities will take place throughout the community.

The committee is looking for community, church and youth organizations as well as businesses to join forces and work together in groups. Family and individual participation also is encouraged.

Volunteer signup begins at 8 a.m. at East Palestine City Park. Registration forms also are available at each of the city school district’s buildings, the public library or at city hall.

Dog Days is designated as an annual day established for volunteers to work together toward a common goal, committee members said. Last year, more than 350 volunteers supported the cleanup efforts and completed many community projects.

But why is it called Dog Days?

First, the bulldog is the high school mascot, and also “dog” is an acronym that stands for day of giving, says Joann Knight, committee chairwoman.

An appreciation luncheon for volunteers will be at 1 p.m. at the city park’s community center. All volunteers and anyone who assisted in any way are invited to attend.

The committee is accepting food donations, beverages and monetary contributions to provide drinks and refreshments for the volunteers throughout the day and for the luncheon.

This year’s steering committee is Knight, Lisa Rohrbaugh, Gary Clark, Brett Todd, Sandy Wales, Robert McElroy, Jim Wilson, Denny Sugar, Cindy Clark, Tom Inchak, Greg Reeves, Clyde Hoffmeister, Teresa Sprowls and Sonny Hull. For more information about the cleanup and luncheon, contact Knight at (330) 426-9927.