Pet parade set at CHEER Oct. 21

CHEER will host its annual Paw Prints Making a Difference Pet Parade from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, at the CHEER Community Center, 20520 Sand Hill Road, east of Georgetown. Pets now have a reason to get dressed up and parade in front of their four-legged friends.

The event is part of the Make a Difference Day program. The intent of the day is to help senior citizens on fixed incomes feed their furry companions adequately. Volunteers in the area noticed that seniors who received Meals on Wheels were only eating half their food and leaving their tray on the floor for their pet companions to eat the rest. In response for filling the need, CHEER began sponsoring the annual pet food drive and a pet costume parade where all the proceeds benefit this worthy cause. Over 120 bags of dog food were distributed to seniors last year as a result of the day's success.

Dogs of all shapes and sizes are invited to come out in their finery and compete for ribbons in four categories - Cutest Canine, Coolest Canine, Most Original and Judge's Choice. Registration for the parade is $10 per dog. The first 50 registrants will receive a dog goodie bag. All dogs must be on a six-foot leash. Human companions must pick up after their dogs, so be sure to bring doo-doo bags. CHEER reserves the right to turn away any dog that poses a threat to anyone or any other dog. Hot dogs, chips and sodas will be for sale. Several doggy games will also be played throughout the day.

The event is sponsored by Meals on Wheels, Bandfield and Charitable Trust. Donations have been received from Herr's, Pepsi, Wash-N-Wag, Stella and Chewy's, Savannah Animal Hospital, Wysong, Dignity Pet, Beaverdam Pet Foods, Soda Pup, Tail Bangers and Pet Valu-Georgetown.

Rain date is Sunday, Oct. 22. For more information, call Elizabeth Walls at 302-515-3040 or go to cheerde.com.