Meals on Wheels to hold Pets on Parade Fundraising Event

By Crystal Vandegrift, Staff Writer

The Charlotte County Meals on Wheels will hold a benefit Pets on Parade event on Saturday, September 10. The event will be held at Southside Virginia Community College from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

This first ever event is just one of many fundraisers the county’s Meals on Wheels holds throughout the year.

“People love their animals and I thought this would be a really great fundraiser event.” said Meals on Wheels board member Shilo Mrazik. “Plus we are hoping to turn this into an annual event.”

There is a $10 entry fee for the parade and pet owners will receive a photo of their pet the day of the event. According to Mrazik the Pet Parade is open to both dogs and cats. “Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in a cage,” she added.

In addition, all pets must be people and other pet-friendly.

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the parade starting at 9 a.m.

There will six different categories that owners may choose to include their pets in for an additional $5 per category fee. “We will have judges for the Southside SPCA who will judge pets in the categories of Cutest, Ugliest, Best Outfit, Fattest, Best Pet/Owner look alike and Best looking dog and cat.

Charlotte County Meals on Wheels feeds 60 county residents, five days a week costing the organization around $100,000 each year. With 30 volunteers on board the organization and  with the help of Sheldon’s restaurant, they deliver three hot meals and two frozen meals each week to the homebound, elderly and veterans. “Sheldon’s Restaurant does all the preparing of the hot meals we deliver,” added Mrazik. “Our local community and businesses are a great support for us.”

In addition to community and business donations, The Charlotte County Meals on Wheels also receives funding each year from the board of supervisors as well as several non-profit organizations.

“We are here to help those in need.” said Mrazik “This is more than just delivering food.”

According to Mrazik when drivers deliver food they also spend time with residents talking with them.

“They really enjoy that.” she said, “They like the food but the visits are really important to them.”

The Charlotte County Meals on Wheels are always looking for Volunteers to help deliver meals. If you are interested in volunteering contact the Meals on Wheels at (434) 736-8441.

For more information on the Pets on Parade event contact Shilo Mrazik at (434) 390-8448 or Gloria Talbott at (434) 470-4760.