What does a community service group do when they find out there is a major shortage of childcare options for working families due to the Covid-19 pandemic? It takes action.
The Shenandoah Valley Kiwanis Club, which serves the Staunton-Augusta County-Waynesboro community, is taking a novel approach to the child care problem. We're launching this unique fundraiser to find the "Coolest Dog in the Shenandoah Valley." Some might ask—what does a dog contest have to do with child care? The answer is—nothing. That's not the point.
During these challenging times caused by Covid-19, childcare has become an urgent issue for working families. All contest proceeds will support the recently established Creative Collaborative Coalition for Childcare (C4) which is addressing this vital need in our community. Primary C4 partners include the United Way of Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro; and the Staunton and Waynesboro YMCAs. Major support is also being provided by Augusta Health, Community Action Partnership for Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro, Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge, and the faith community. For more information about the C4, click
here.
The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge will be providing a matching grant for the first $1,800 raised by the contest.
We hope the community will have fun with this contest and hope to bring greater awareness for the critical need for quality child care for working families.
If you have a "cool dog", please go to
Enter Contest now!
Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to the
Top 3 Dogs that receive the most votes.
Top Dog -- First Place:
The dog with the most votes will be crowned the "Coolest Dog in the Shenandoah Valley" for 2020. The winning dog and their "pet parents" will receive a $250 Visa gift card. The winning dog's photo will be featured on the SVKC's Coolest Dog website and contest website.
The winning dog's family will also receive four custom designed T-shirts so everyone will know who owns the "Coolest Dog in the Shenandoah Valley". Now, that is really cool! The family will also receive a "Coolest Dog" sign to place in their front yard to further publicize their big win and let all who pass by know that the "coolest dog" lives here!
2nd Place:
The 2
nd place coolest dog will be deemed the "Second Coolest Dog in the Shenandoah Valley" for 2020. The second-place dog's family will receive a $150 Visa gift card and four t-shirts that will feature him/her and the other winners.
3rd Place:
The 3
rd place coolest dog will be deemed "Third Coolest Dog in the Shenandoah Valley" for 2020. The third-place dog's family will receive a $100 Visa gift card and four t-shirts featuring him/her and the other winners.