• Horseshoes & Leader Dog

• A Match made by a Pink Elephant

• Published in: Update - Issue 2 - 2010
• Listen to Article

Folks gathering to play horseshoes, enjoy some homemade chili and spend an afternoon with their friends to ease their cabin fever during a cold February in winter. This could be a scene from any small town in America. So what makes Smiths Creek, Michigan different than the other towns – they throw a pink elephant and puppies into the mix!

For the past 27 years, the Pink Elephant Bar has been hosting a horseshoe tournament to raise money for Leader Dog. Under the dedicated leadership of Jill Hunter, this event has raised over $28,000. “Knowing that the money this generates helps someone gain independence and self-confidence is a wonderful feeling,” says Jill.

The event is really a bunch of small donations that add up to a large amount and a lot of fun. Puppy raisers turn out to say thanks, answer any questions about Leader Dog, and show off their well-behaved pups.

Thanks to Jill, the Pink Elephant Bar, and the ongoing support of thousands of similar fundraisers throughout the United States, Leader Dog is able to continue its mission of enhancing the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired.

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