Humane Society

For the third year in a row, the Washington County branches of Susquehanna Bank will hold a two-week pet supply drive for the Humane Society of Washington County.  On Monday, April 8, each of the 12 branches will begin collecting a variety of items for the animals in big blue boxes that will be prominently displayed in their lobbies. Participating branches are Boonsboro, Smithsburg, Dual Highway, Hagerstown Financial Center, Paramount, Eastern Boulevard, Fountain Head, Salem Avenue, Halfway, Frederick Street, Hancock and Valley Mall.  Paramount branch manager Cindy Helman led the donation drive.  “We are looking forward to hosting this event for the third year,” Helman said.

Always Ron's Restaurant in Hagerstown is hosting a fundraiser called "Plates for Pets" for the Humane Society of Washington County on March 9 from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Michael Guessford of Always Ron's is looking forward to the event. "We look for community involvement that many of our customers have soft hearts for, and we think pets play such a large role in our lives every day. I think this will be a nice fundraiser for the shelter," Guessford said. Always Ron's is at 29 N. Burhans Blvd.

The Meadows of Hagerstown's annual 1950s-style “Cool Your Paws” fundraiser on Aug. 20 raised more than $250 for the Humane Society of Washington County. Adoptable shelter dog Acorn attended the event and showed off his training. “This year's event was a huge success,” said Connie Illig, co-owner of The Meadows. “Attendance was the best ever with our donation to the HSWC more than doubling that of last year. And a special thanks to Pet-O-Bed for their donation.” The annual event took place at The Meadows Original Frozen Custard of Hagerstown in the South Pointe Shopping Center, and featured guests with pet-related products and services, including Marley's Gourmet Treats, McMillion Pet Photography, Off the Leash caricature paintings, Pet-O-Bed specially designed beds, Dog-Gone Groomin's mobile van, Monster Hollow Studio sculptures, Certified Professional Dog Trainer Karol Kennedy and music by DogFoot Acoustics.

Greenbrier Elementary School students recently presented $1,020 to the Humane Society of Washington County, the nonprofit organization of student choice after a presentation in a Gifted and Talented Education, or GATE, enrichment class of fourth- and fifth-grade students. Students researched 10 charities and gave a PowerPoint presentation, which led to a student vote in which the humane society was selected as the beneficiary of a fundraising effort. The “Make a Difference” coin drive coordinated by the class was conducted schoolwide.

T&N Liquors, at 18704 North Village in Hagerstown, recently held raffles to raise money for the Humane Society of Washington County.   On Jan. 3, T&N Liquors representative Kelli Godsey and her daughter, Danielle, along with store mascot, Nikita, presented Paul Miller, the shelter's executive director, with a donation of $1,000. During November and December, store owners Loren and Blaine Ward, together with Godsey and other store employees, promoted the raffles. Prizes included gift certificates, a Jagermeister cooler and a Titleist golf bag.   "We are really happy we can help the Humane Society of Washington County," Blaine Ward said.

Inspired by their desire to engage in a joint hobby, Denise Bryan, 51, and her husband, Stan, 54, of Hagerstown walked into The Humane Society of Washington County more than three years ago with open hearts and a willingness to help. “We both have a love for animals and wanted to do a hobby, something that we enjoyed together. We thought we could do something positive to save some of the animals,” Denise said. After participating a session of hands-on training, hosted by the Humane Society, the Bryans were allowed to begin working directly with the animals.

When Judy Reese began celebrating Halloween 21 years ago, she had no idea it would become one of the neighborhood's most anticipated evenings.    Nor did she think she was creating an event to benefit homeless animals.   That is exactly what has happened and on Nov. 1, she and her three Labrador retrievers, Harley D, UPS and Soft Tail, posed as they donated the proceeds from the annual event to the Humane Society of Washington County. Judy's Howl-O-Ween Haunted House attracts brave visitors from miles around to her home on Whittier Heights in Hagerstown.

The fifth annual Cinderella's Closet fundraiser to benefit the Humane Society of Washington County raised $2,316 for the animal shelter. Shoppers began gathering at the doors to the Health Occupations classroom at Washington County Technical High School waiting for doors to open.  Held  March 8 at Tech High on Oak Ridge Drive, the fundraiser was hosted and run by the Tech  High's Skills USA students.  The event was such a success that...

Motorcycle enthusiasts came from the four states to participate in the eighth annual Bone to Be Wild, the Dave Alderson Memorial Motorcycle Ride to benefit the Humane Society of Washington County on Sunday, July 17. Ninety-five motorcycles and 156 riders took part in the event, raising more than $4,000 for the shelter. Awards were handed out to the riders who earned top pledges for participating in the ride. This year's top fund raiser were Stan and Denise Bryan, who raised $1,137 in pledges.

Local artist Tamara Hoffman will host a solo show in the Mansion House Art Gallery, behind Hagerstown City Park. A reception for the exhibit, "Visions of Light," will be Sunday, Sept. 5, from 2 to 5 p.m. To honor the memory of the Hoffmans' beloved and recently deceased German shepherd, Tosca, Hoffman will donate 10 percent of the proceeds from the exhibit to the Humane Society of Washington County. Painting in oil that provides rich, vibrant shades and hues, Hoffman's inspiration comes from nature.