‘I’m Your Huckleberry’ To Benefit Animal Rescue

The I’m Your Huckleberry Animal Rescue is sponsoring the Huckleberry Run, a poker run through the Ozarks, on Aug. 25.

Paula Phillips, a member of the board of the rescue, said the organization started because people were dumping dogs in the country. It was started by Debra Parnell and Beverley Bartley. Volunteers rescue dogs or cats and get them vaccinated and spayed or neutered. The organization works solely with contributions and volunteers, Phillips said.

“It’s really needed in McDonald County because before there wasn’t anywhere to go with the strays,” she said.

She added, “We need more foster homes because people on the board are just keeping them in their homes, and we need more homes until they are adopted.”

I’m Your Huckleberry Animal Rescue has a Facebook page and a website. Adoption forms and foster parent forms are available at the website.

The organization has helped more than 150 animals in a year that have gone to permanent homes, Phillips said. There is an adoption fee of $100.

The group takes the animals to Spay Arkansas in Springdale, which has a low-cost spay and neuter program.

“We’re trying to help people get their animals spayed or neutered. If we can slow down the population, that’s going to eliminate a lot of the problem,” Phillips said.

She said she is involved with the organization because helping animals is a way to help the community.

“To me, it’s sad when an animal, a child or an elderly person doesn’t have a place to sleep or food. So this is something I can do to help the community.”

All cars and motorcycles are welcome at the Huckleberry Run. All proceeds will go to the rescue.

Registration is from 8 to 10 a.m. Aug. 25 on the south side of the Walmart in Jane. The run ends at the Pineville Community Center.

First participants will ride out at 9 a.m., and the last will leave at 10 a.m. Entry fee is $15 per rider/driver and $5 per passenger.

A meal is included at the Pineville Community Center. The public is invited to the meal at $5 per person.

There will be prizes for the best and worst hands, a silent auction and a drawing. For more information, contact Phillips at paulatex55@yahoo. com.