Wash a Dog, Take One Home and Run a Dirty Race

Making the most out of one event, the youth groups at will host their 6th Annual Free Dog Wash on Saturday, July 21.

They are also holding the inaugural Dirty Dog 5K & 1­‐Mile Dog Walk and if that’s not enough for the dog days of summer, several “dog­‐friendly” companies will be on hand along with a number of rescue groups with canines available for adoption.

The 5K will take participants through some of the neighborhoods to the west of the church and eventually circle back to the finish line, also at the church. The race will be  administered by Hermes Road Racing and starts at 9 a.m. with pre-registration at 8:30 a.m. There is a $20 fee for each racer or walker to participate in the event and each participant will receive a Dirty Dog 5K t-shirt.

"The Dog Wash was an off-the-cuff idea from a church member that has grown into one of our most successful fundraisers,” Avon Lake U.C.C. Director of Youth Ministries, Nate Taylor, said. “The continued support for this event provides so many young people with the opportunity to go out into the world and help others in need. It's a win-win for everyone."

The Dog Wash will be on the front lawn of the church immediately following the 5K and will continue until 3 p.m.  

A DJ, LIVE music, games, contests, concessions and much more round out the event.

The Dog Wash and Dirty Dog 5K are fundraisers for the youth ministry programs at Avon Lake U.C.C. Specifically the proceeds from this event are used to help fund the various mission trips that junior high and high school youth from the church attend each summer. This year more than 100 youth and adults will participate in mission trips to Hosanna Industries in Rochester, PA and Washington U.C.C. in Cincinnati.

To register for this year’s Dirty Dog 5K visit http://www.hermescleveland.com/roadracing/events/dirtydog