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Make a Difference Day benefits Animal Charity
By Bob Jackson
BOARDMAN
It was a dog day afternoon Saturday in Boardman Park, and it was for a good cause.
Dozens of dogs, of various sizes and breeds, were brought out by their owners to take part in the annual Make A Difference Day to benefit Animal Charity.
The event included a 5K run for the humans and a 1-mile walk for the dogs, as well as a variety of games and contests for the pooches, and an auction for the people.
It was mostly planned and carried out by Marley Cheff and John Cagnina, who were the top dogs in an essay contest among students at Boardman schools, said event coordinator Jason Cooke.
Marley and John, both 10, represented West Boulevard Elementary and Stadium Drive Elementary schools, respectively.
Mary Louk, Animal Charity board president, said Cooke goes to the schools each year and talks to students about volunteerism and things they could do to help support Animal Charity.
Students are encouraged to write an essay detailing their fundraising ideas, and the winners are then entrusted with the task of helping plan the Make A Difference Day.
“It’s really the kids’ brainchild,” Louk said. “The kids and their families and Jason planned it all.” She said there was no particular goal in mind for an amount to raise.
“Since they’re kids, we appreciate anything they do,” she said. “It’s more about helping them to learn about getting involved. We want them to think about this and to learn from it for the rest of their lives. We put the goals on the adults.”
John said he came up with the idea of a dog show because he likes watching them on TV, so he wanted to create one of his own.
“I like dogs, and I really wanted to do a dog show,” he said. “And it was for a good cause.”
Marley, who came up with the idea for the run and walk events, said she was “shocked and very happy” to learn her essay was chosen as a winner.
As she spoke, she saw the runners for the 5K gathering at the starting line, so she called an abrupt halt to her interview.
“I have to go run,” she said with a smile before hustling to join the rest of the field.
Sandy Ketchem, 69, of Youngstown, attended with family friend Zack Weyant, 27, of Columbus, who was in town visiting with his wife’s family. They brought three dachshunds, who belonged to Weyant’s in-laws, to take part in the 1-mile walk.
“This will be his first long walk,” Weyant said of the youngest pup, Scooby, who’s just 10 months old.
Bill Mulligan, 48, of Lordstown, showed up with his two dogs, Django and Joey, because he wanted to support his 10-year-old cousin, John. Django, a pit bull and King Corso mix, and Joey, a Yorkie, also took part in the walk.