Club plans dog-walk benefit

Dog owners are invited to walk their pooches around the scenic pond of the Columbia County Memorial Gardens on Saturday.

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The fundraiser will benefit Leader Dogs for the Blind and fund community service projects for the Lions Club, said Bob Branden, an event organizer and Lions Club member.

The inaugural Evans Lions Club Dog Walk will last from 9 a.m. to noon at the memorial gardens behind the Columbia County Library in Evans.

It costs $10 to enter a dog in the walk, and owners are given a leash. Brandon said anyone who wants to get sponsors to raise additional funds are welcome to do so.

The event also will feature a canine demonstration from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, which will be there with the ID-A-Child program.

Vendors including the Columbia County Humane Society and Heartsong Animal Rescue will be present.

"We're going to offer opportunities to have photos taken with your pets," said Dan Bernhardt, an event organizer.

All funds raised go toward the new Evans Lions Club's mission of helping to treat and prevent blindness and assist children in distress. The club already has donated 300 stuffed lions to Columbia County emergency responders as part of Project Courage.

Bernhardt said dogs must be on leashes. For more information, contact Bernhardt at (706) 210-3718.