Community Spotlight: Southeastern Guide Dogs Walkathon Results

Walkers and dogs enjoy the day at St. Petersburg's Southeastern Guide Dogs Walkathon.

PALMETTO – Southeastern Guide Dogs announces fantastic results for its five recent Walkathons, held in February and throughout March in Bradenton, St. Petersburg, The Villages, Tampa, and Sarasota. The fifth and final Walkathon was held Saturday, March 29, 2014 in Sarasota’s Payne Park.

Because of the outstanding support of a caring community, the 2014 Walkathons raised over $650,000 with approximately 8,500 walkers and 2,800 dogs walking to raise these needed funds.

“We appreciate these five caring communities for opening their doors for our Walkathons,” said Titus Herman, Southeastern’s Chief Executive Officer. “And to the many volunteers and walkers who came out to show their support, we are extremely grateful.”

With the success of this quintet of Walkathons, Southeastern provides services for its favorite superheroes: the life-changing dogs and the people who need them. Since 1982, Southeastern has offered its guide dogs at no charge to visually impaired recipients, and relies on the Walkathons as the biggest fundraiser of the year.

“We’re thrilled with the outcome this year,” said Nina Ionata, Southeastern’s Walkathon Manager. “It has been exciting to see so many people come out to each location who care about Southeastern Guide Dogs. And we’re happy to announce that we are expanding to more locations in 2015!”

About Southeastern Guide Dogs

Southeastern Guide Dogs is internationally accredited and one of the most respected guide dog schools in the United States. Established in 1982, Southeastern Guide Dogs’ mission is to create and nurture a partnership between a visually impaired individual and a guide dog, facilitating life’s journey with mobility, independence and dignity. Through their programs Paws for Independence™, Paws for Patriots™, and Gifted Canines™, Southeastern has more than 400 active guide dog teams across the nation and continues to place more than 100 dogs annually into guiding and other careers, all at no charge to the guide dog recipient, thanks to the generous support of donors and volunteers. Visit www.guidedogs.org for more information.