First annual Humane Society golf benefit planned for April

By Janet DelTufo, Assistant Editor

Humane Society golf benefit

The Humane Society of Wickenburg will host its first-ever golf fundraiser called “Pars for Paws” at the Wickenburg County Club next month, and both members and non-club members are welcome to participate.

The first annual event will take place Saturday, April 14, and all proceeds will go towards building a new facility for the Society.

“The Humane Society of Wickenburg presently has no operation center but is still viable,” said Society representative Marianne Swanston. “The board of directors recently welcomed four new members, including Walter Blodgett, Jane Boyd, Larry Driscoll and Lisa Hershkowitz. It is the board's focus is to secure land and plan for future building, and the board is relentlessly and optimistically working towards that goal.”

With the upcoming construction of the Wickenburg Interim Bypass, the property that had been utilized by the Society for a shelter was lost to the organization when it was purchased and then condemned by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Donations, grants and fundraisers are the only means of support for the Humane Society. According to Swanston, the Society's building account is presently at $71,000. Securing land, however, remains a problem, and land it seems must be donated, granted or purchased. The Town of Wickenburg has not been able to locate any property for the Society to lease at a minimal yearly fee.

“Animals at large are the town's and every citizen's problem,” Swanston said. “It is a necessity that all dogs and cats are vaccinated and spayed or neutered to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and overpopulation. A dog can produce two litters of six to 10 puppies and a cat can produce three litters of four to six kittens a year. That's a lot of your tax dollars if Wickenburg Animal Control has to deal with the unwanted animals.”

Swanston said the Humane Society can successfully take care of these issues, but it needs the help of the public. She said this first-ever golf fundraiser at the recently expanded and remodeled Wickenburg Country Club golf course is one way the public can help the Society and have fun at the same time.

A four-person scramble will take place, and many items will be available during a silent auction. Also a $10,000 golf membership will be up for grabs during a live auction.

The costs to play in the benefit are $75 (includes green fees, cart, reception, and prizes) for a single player, $275 for a classic foursome, $100 each to sponsor a tee box, and $350 (includes foursome and tee box sponsor) for a classic sponsor.

To learn more about helping the Humane Society by playing golf, making a donation or by sponsoring a tee-box, contact 684-8801 or log onto www.wickenburghumane.org. Interested persons can also stop in at Wickenburg County Club for more information.

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