SUMMER 2021 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 19
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Some walked, some ran.
Some were carried over the finish line
when their little legs got too tired. But all had a
tail-wagging good time in downtown Greensboro
for the 12th Annual Durham Dawgy Dash.
The event raised money for Circle of Friends
Animal Society (COFAS), a nonprofit organization
that rescues at-risk animals and helps them
find “forever homes.”
About 160 people and their pets showed up
to “race” this May in support of COFAS, which
prides itself on helping not only animals, but
people, too.
“COFAS was founded 14 years ago, in 2007,
with a mission to not only rescue homeless animals,
but to help families in Greene and Putnam
Counties who need assistance in caring for their
pets—assistance with food, emergency medical
care, spaying or neutering, and even shelter,”
says Cathy Wood, chairman of COFAS.
“We offer a low cost spay/neuter program for
anyone, and a no cost program for low income
families. Since our beginning, the Durham Veterinary
Clinic in Greensboro has partnered with
us by offering discounted services that allows
us to help families who cannot afford needed
medical care. Imagine your beloved pet becomes
sick or injured and you have to choose between
providing for your family or helping your pet.
No one should have to make that decision.”
In order to fulfill that mission, COFAS got creative
to raise funds to better the lives of animals
and the people who own them.
“Thirteen years ago Dr. Robert Lewis and his
wife Nancy, came up with the idea of hosting
a 5K run fundraiser that welcomes pets, and
the annual Dawgy Dash was born. The monies
raised are used to fund our emergency medical
program and enables us to continue helping
families in our community,” says Wood.
Oconee Brewing Co. hosted this year’s Durham
Dawgy Dash, which was a huge success for
COFAS.
“We’d like to thank Dr. Robert and Nancy Lewis,
who created this race and have made it into a
wonderful community event. Special thanks go
as well to our generous sponsors, who cover ex-
| from the heart |