‘Bark Out Loud’ leads off busy month of May
Laurens Police K9 Officer Kia
The inaugural “Bark Out Loud” fundraising event is set for Saturday, May 5 at the Chick-Fil-A in Laurens.
The event, which is organized by the Laurens Police Department K9 Unit and Tractor Supply, is to get started at 8 a.m. and run until 2 p.m. – or longer. Money raised will be donated to the Laurens Humane Society and the Hyco K9 Fund.
“As long as people are there and want to hang out with us, I’ll be there,” said Laurens Police K9 Unit Sgt. Doug Jones.
The fundraiser includes a raffle. Prizes include a dog kennel with a roof, doghouse and portable crate (1st prize), a $100 gift card (2nd prize) and two bags of “4 Health” dog food (3rd prize). Raffle tickets are $5. Tickets may be purchased from the Laurens Police Department, Sav-A-Lot and Tractor Supply.
“We wanted to do something to give back,” Jones said. “The Humane Society does such a great job, and the Hyco K9 Fund helps support other K9 units from all over the state.”
In addition to the raffle, the Laurens K9 Unit will be on hand and put on demonstrations; the Laurens District High School FFA will be operating a dog wash; and PAWS, a local wildlife rescue, will also be on hand with some of its rescues. K9 Units from the S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Woodruff Police and Union Police are also expected to attend.
Attendees are also invited to bring their own dogs, but are asked to keep them on their leashes.
“We’re so blessed to have a great administration and a great city council behind us,” Jones said of his K9 unit, which now consists of three K9 officers. “We’re starting to grow and the unit is taking strides, so we wanted to give back a little bit and thought this would be a great way to do it.
“We want everybody to come out and meet us and see what we do.”
Other events coming up locally include:
Relay for Life Laurens County: Saturday, May 5 from 4 p.m.-10 p.m. at Laurens District High School K.C. Hanna Stadium.
South Carolina in the Majors: Presented by Brandon Burdette of Ware Shoals: Sunday, May 6, beginning at 3 p.m. at the Laurens County Museum.
The Spring Tea: High Tea and public auction at the Laurens County Museum, beginning at 3 p.m. at the Laurens County Museum. Cost is $12 for Museum Association members, $15 for non-members and children under 10 is $8.
3rd Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day: Laurens County Police Officer of the Year will be named at the luncheon, at noon on Tuesday, May 15 at the Piedmont Technical College Higher Education Center.
3rd Annual Bunco Night: Hosted by Lakeside Country Club on Thursday, May 17 from 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Tickets are two for $10 or five for $20. Funds raised will go to support summer camp opportunities for children. Call or text Monica at 981-1926 for information or reservations.
Jail & Bail Fundraiser: Presented by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, May 18 at the Laurens County Detention Center from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For $20, turn in a willing friend. Money raised to benefit the LCSO Christmas for Kids Program. Contact Courtney Snow at 681-4515 or by email at csnow@laurenssheriff.com for information or to volunteer.
Rhythm on the Rails: Friday and Saturday, May 18-19 in downtown Clinton. Visit rotrclintonsc.com for information.
Hospice of Laurens 15th Annual Butterfly Celebration: On Sunday, May 20 at 3 p.m at Bellview Baptist Church in Laurens. Celebrate the life of someone special by purchasing a butterfly for release. Butterflies are $12 each or five for $50. Call 833-6287 for information.
