Humane society benefit planned

By Kevin Dye

Staff Writer

Grinch the dog rides along side his companion David Lightfoot. Grinch was named the mascot for the Grinch Pet Palooza, a charity event to raise funds for the Humane Society of Madison County.

Concerned West Jefferson residents have banded together to create a unique benefit using their own mascot to come to the aid of the Humane Society of Madison County.

The Grinch’s Pet Palooza is a poker run benefit that is scheduled for Saturday, September 15. The day long event will start in West Jefferson at the Front Row Sports Bar and continue through London (Gin Mill), Galloway (Oak Grove Tavern and Galloway Tavern) and New Rome (Neon Moon Bar), before returning to West Jefferson.

The event was planned by motorcycle enthusiasts who frequent the Front Row Sports Bar and were concerned when they heard of some of the recent needs of the animal shelter.

Greg Hoepker has even donated some of his time to volunteer at the shelter and saw upclose the needs of the facility.

“I helped them with some work when their power was out,” Hoepker said. “Then someone here at Front Row heard that they were also low on food recently. When we heard that they were that bad on food, we decided to try and help them out.”

Once the group started brainstorming to set up a charity event for the Humane Society of Madison County, they decided a poker run party would help raise the most funds for the shelter.

When deciding on a theme, they found that a member’s pet was the most recognizable figure that they had and the Grinch Pet Palooza was born.

Grinch is a 13-year-old mixed breed dog that has been a constant companion of his owner David Lightfoot. So much so that Grinch rides aboard David’s motorcycle. The pair have traveled thousands of miles together on the open road.

“Well, Grinch is well known around town, much better than I am,” Lightfoot said. “We started riding together when he was two months old and now he’s 13 and still enjoys it. We have traveled to Daytona Beach, Dragon’s Tail and the Northeast Passage.”

Lightfoot said that Grinch has a special area on the back of his larger bike/ Grinch settles in and lies down while they travel for long distances.

Lightfoot said he found the dog abandoned at only a couple of months old during the Christmas season and he decided to name him after the popular Dr. Seuss Christmas character. This Grinch is anything but, well, a Grinch and they hope the event will help raise needed money to assist in the care of the animals at the shelter.

“We want to do what we can to help the shelter in the care and feeding of the animals and we hope people come out to the event,” Hoepker said.

Hoepker said some of the most needed items at the shelter are cleaning supplies, paper towels, bleach, gas cards for transportation, dog and cat treats and dog and cat toys.

For individuals who cannot attend the event, they can drop off their donations at the Front Row Sports Bar located at 14 W. Main St. in West Jefferson or directly at the Humane Society of Madison County located at 2020 state Route 142 N.E.

The registration for the Grinch’s Pet Palooza poker run begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Front Row Sports Bar and the first bike leaves at noon, with the last bike coming back into West Jefferson at 5 p.m.

There will be live entertainment and a special auction held at 8 p.m.

For more information on the event, contact the Front Row Sports Bar at (614) 879-9600.