National Walkathon Day coming up this Saturday as SE Guide Dogs fundraiser

National Walkathon Day will be this Saturday, May 1, and it will be a way your can help out the Southeastern Guide Dogs fundraising efforts.

Because of the pandemic, large-scale mass events are still discouraged, so there will not be any official events taking place, but participants are encouraged to host a small-scale event in their local community if possible.

While walking laps around a high school track or neighborhood streets is the most obvious way to raise funds for the Palmetto, Florida, based organization, participants could also host a bake sale or run a dog wash or car wash, or a variety of other cool activities that could inspire donations.

You can register to take part in the National Walkathon Day event by going to GuideDogs.org/Walkathon.

If you choose to participate and share a photo on social media, please be sure to use the hashtags #NatWalkDay2021, #SEGuideDogs and #ProgressivePups.

National Walkathon Day is raising funds for Southeastern Guide Dogs to continue their good work.

While Southeastern Guide Dogs primarily trains guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired, they also train service dogs for those with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), those dogs are particularly but not exclusively teamed with military veterans. They also have a Canine Fitness Program to keep the dogs physically and mentally sharp.

This event is sponsored by Progressive Insurance, and was begun in 1987 at the Manatee County Fairgrounds, where about 50 volunteers and staff raised about $15,000 (about $35,000 in 2021 dollars). Since 2016, Southeastern Guide Dogs has raised over $1 million each year, and is hoping to exceed that number again in 2021.

“This year, we wanted to make our traditional Walkathon event even more impactful by reaching more people and using social media,” Jennifer Bryan, Southeastern Guide Dogs director of philanthropy, said in a press release. “Walkathon makes a difference every year, and by taking it to all 50 states, we’re hoping to raise more awareness, more funds and change more lives than ever before.”

Additionally, they are hoping to have participants from all 50 states and Washington DC in order to truly make this a nationwide event.

Every dog participating will receive a free bandanna with the National Walkathon Day logo on it, and human participants can also earn free T-shirts, tumblers, or scholarships for students or puppy naming rights.

For more information about Southeastern Guide Dogs, see their Facebook page, or check them out on Twitter or Instagram at @SEGuideDogs. Dog O’Day is on Facebook at Daily Dog and on Instagram at @DogODayFS.