Fetch Dog Park

Gala Opening

June 12-13

1-3 PM each day

Participant s:
Dog Park Volunteers:  Larry Anderson, D Fridy,  J Gourley, E Grzelak, K Hoaks, D Jacobs, J Mason, T O’Neal,  N Ruzic, C Shadley , T Shadley, T Schooler, J Adams(Humane Society enlistee)

Procurement Coordinator: K Hoaks

Procurement Committee: K Hoaks, J Gourley, D Jacobs, T Schooler, T O’Neal

                Develop and organize door prizes, silent auction items, and vendor participation

Water, Soft drink procurement and sales: Deb Fridy

Publicity: Deb Fridy PSA, Radio, Newspapers

On Site Vendors: Big R (on site WDNL Sat), Midnight Howler (DeMoss),  Paw-A-Day Inn, Pet  Supply Plus, Stateline Hillcrest Small Animal Hospital, Sunset Funeral Home and Trigard, Tractor Supply,  Vermilion County Animal Shelter Foundation, Canine Design and Amanda Chamberlain training

Food Vendors on Site: Wiener Works Service and condiments by Stan Jackowski family, Wiener contribution by Joe Vincent, Hawkeye Foods, Sat & Sun), Custard Cup (Sun only)

Summary

The minutes of June 3 have been reviewed and corrected. K Hoaks name was omitted from the attendee list. The weather report for the 2 day Gala opening was ominous from the start but I am happy to say that all festivities came off as planned and the rain held off both days until just after cleanup and closure completed. L Anderson and T O’Neal had mowed both areas earlier in week

On Saturday June 12 at 0900 the entire group of volunteers assembled and 2 canopies were placed on the west end of the parking lot.  The larger canopy covered 3 tables. The north for drink sales, larger mid table for tag sales, information booklets and also assisted the south table. The south table was used for display of silent auction items, and merchandise. (caps, shirts, bands).  The smaller canopy was utilized for Wiener Works.  The wieners were given free to dog Park tag owners and donations for all others and the donation strategy worked well.  This in-kind donation by the Jackowski family really went well both days.  Shortly after completion of this setup Custard Cup arrived and set up further west on dry ground near the building for electrical needs.  His product was sold and as always gathered a crowd and donations.  Big R set up with the radio interview adjacent to Custard Cup.

T he remaining vendors entered through the Fetch entry or park entry and set up in the grass between parking lot and the park entry Road.  As cars started arriving L Anderson, T O’Neal directed cars to    C Shadley and they were parked along south edge of park entry way and around blue building.  Worked well for traffic flow.

Silent Auction Items with Custard Cup in background

At 1 PM festivities began with remarks by D Jacobs and J Mason with introduction of Julius Hegeler II and Lois Wise of the Julius W Hegeler II Foundation

Mr. Hegeler and arch with sponsors

Mayor Eisenhower unveiled our plaque and the Leash cutting ceremony followed.  Participants with scissor s were: Mayor Eisenhower, Brock Burton, Julius Hegeler, J Mason. The leash was held by D Jacobs and S Lane.   D Jacobs remarked how vital Steve Lane had been to all our efforts and made mention that his name was on the plaque.  Following this ceremony the K9 Corps of Danville Police Department put on a demonstration displaying the effectiveness of a well trained police dog. Very impressive.  

Shortly after 3 PM most of the crowd dissipated and the volunteers took a breather before tear down.   Reflections on the day left everyone satisfied.  The crowd was estimated at 200+ and 40 tags sold.  No new tactics planned.

SUNDAY the arrival time was 1030 and it worked well before the 1 PM Opening. 

Main Tables Ready for Action

Volunteer Stations

From the north D Fridy, J Adams, E Grzelak, N Ruzic, J Gourley, K Hoaks, T Shadley when in proper spots

Again the weather held off well but became quite ominous just before the blessing of the park at 2PM.   Did not dare rain at that time.  Shortly before 3 Pm the 2^nd 50/50 drawing was held.  It totaled about $25.00 about ½ of Saturday but the winner gave her portion back so the total gain for the drawing was $50.00.  K Hoaks, T Schooler, J Gourley   organized the winners of the door prizes and prepared to notify them for pickup or drop-off.

T he silent auction items:

1.        Lake Vermilion Excursion                   $350.00

2.       K9 suites 1 (50) and 2(40)                         90.00

3.       Massage                                                           70.00

4.       One Mo free tanning                               100.00

5.       Dans tickets                                                                   85.00

6.       Wolf Creek Golf                                          65.00

7.       Case of wine                                                 70.00

8.       Cookbook and gift certificate                45.00

9.       Pet portrait  sitting                                    60.00

TOTAL                                                           $935.00                

T Schooler designed the thank you card to be sent to all vendors and donors of items for door prizes and auction items.  She, K Hoaks, J Gourley will be sending those out.

Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish Participants at entry near plaque

A brief social wrap up meeting was held after take down and policing of the area. It was again estimated that approximately 200 visitors attended. 20 tags were sold and on both days there were lot s of well-behave dogs.  No serious encounters and the lemon juice/water mix were used on 3 occasions with good results.  On June 15 a deposit of $1574.50 was made at G Brandon office in City Building. $400.00 was from the silent auction items.   This equates to total return including all of the auction items still to be collected $2109.50

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS TO ALL FETCH PARK VOLUNTEERS FOR A JOB WELL DONE

JCM June 16, 2010