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By Jill Runfola

The ‘Puppy-Up Foundation Walk’ was held at the Monessen City Park walking track on the brisk Sunday of October 14, 2018.

Riley Bedner from Monessen poses with dog ‘Sandy’. Together they won the award for ‘Dog and Owner Look-a-Like.’

The walk is a fundraiser to promote awareness in cancer research—which benefits all loved ones—both pets and people. Sponsored by the Monessen/Rostraver Rotary, the event featured a DJ, food and drinks, a gift basket auction, 50/50 raffle, portrait raffle, dog contest, photo booth, and a Cool Zone. A Pet Blessing was performed by Father Mike Crookston of Epiphany of Our Lord Chapel.

“We had over 40 vendors, and I was excited to be a part of it,” said Kristin Joseph, president of the Monessen/Rostraver Rotary. She added, “I think that the Puppy-Up walk will brought a lot of people together from within Monessen and the surrounding areas for a really fun day for the Mon Valley for both people and dogs.”

Organizer of Monessen Puppy-Up Walk, Randy Moreno noted that the event was held in the years of 2012 and 2013, but then stopped. “I am planning to make this a yearly event,” said Moreno. “As long as we can continue getting the volunteers and support like we did this year, we’ll keep doing it.”

Monies raised by the Puppy-Up Foundation helps to distribute grants nationwide to fund cancer research.

“All of the money raised from this event will go specifically to help research the link between human and animal cancer,” said Joseph. “I feel that many don’t think about cancer in pets, but it is a very real disease and happens very often.”

To donate toward this foundation, please visit the website: www.puppyupwalk.org/Monessen/.

Go to our Photo Gallery for more photos of this event.

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