February FUNdraisers to Support the Dog Park!

Hello PWC Dogs Supporters!

A tremendous outpouring of community support is already in the works, and we want to make sure all you dog park lovers know about what's going on on the fundraising front.

Tomorrow is the first day of February, and there are already two great events being planned on our behalf. So without further ado, our February FUNdraisers!

The first fundraiser is taking place now, and will be all through the month of February. Amanda Sterber, a Scentsy consultant in the area, will be donating a protion of her wickless candle sales to the dog park (anywhere from 20-25%). Additionally, in the month of February all Scentsy products are 10% off for customers, so it's very much a "give and get" month-long fundraiser! A flyer is imbedded below, but if you would like a printable version to post in your place of business, local community bulletin board, vet, store you frequent, etc. please e-mail us at princewilliamcountydogs@gmail.com

They also have an adorable "I Love My Pets" wickless candle that will be discontinued soon, a great feature item to promote and purchase for your dog-friendly homes! You can also promote Amanda and her fundraiser by sharing the fundraiser online via her website at https://wicklessmoments.scentsy.us/ (this link will take you straight to the fundraiser). Be sure to also like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/WicklessByAmanda as a way to say "thank you for supporting our dog park!"

The second fundraiser is being hosted on Sunday, Feb 12 at Dogtopia of Manassas.

They will be having an indoor dog park event, and charging $5 for current Dogtopia Manassas customers, $10 for non-customers as a benefit for the PWC Dog Park (all attending dogs must be up to date on their vaccinations to party, just as they should be when the actual dog park opens!). What better way to spend time with your dog than from the comfort of inside while they play with their fellow dogs, especially when it's going to support a permanent dog park they can play at whenever they want?
Many thanks to Dogtopia, who are already promoting this on their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dogtopia-of-Manassas/27877945953?ref=ts so you can take a look (and give them a Like while you're at it).

On the publicity front, keep an eye our for us in the Lake Ridge HOA Newsletter for monthly placement in and fundraising updates, the Old Bridge Observer, and NOVADog magazine, who have offered to promote our efforts!

Finally, for those of you who missed the PWC Park Authority meeting last week, the board was very pleased about our report and the efforts we have in place. They are really excited to see us looking organized and following up on our promise to raise the funds needed for the park.

If there is any way you would like to get involved to support our many exciting updates, please don't hesitate to us know via an email to princewilliamcountydogs@gmail.com.  Also, save the date of Feb 9th for our next meeting. We are till working on the meeting space, to be announced in the coming days, but please mark your calendar for that date!

The Start of a New Year, the Start of our Fundraising Initiatives!

Well friends, as the cold weather is officially upon us and the days are starting to get just a smidgen longer as we anxiously await spring and hope the groundhog doesn't see his shadow next week. Now that the holidays are a few weeks past and we would LOVE to get a dog park built for some late Spring and Summertime puppy play dates, it's time to get to fundraising! We are excited to present some updates on the fundraisnig front, but we do still have quite a ways to go.

So, here's what's up with the PWC Dogs:

• Tomorrow night we will be presenting to the Prince William County Park Authority Board to tell them what we have been up to. We will send a recap of the meeting when we've gone and presented, but a showing of community support would sure be great. If you can come, the meeting will be Wednesday, January 25 (tomorrow!) at 7:30 pm at the George Hellwig Memorial Park Administration Building, 14420 Bristow Rd, Manassas VA 20112
• To date, we have raised $875 towards our $12,050 goal of getting that fence built. While really all we need is the fence to technically have a park, we really would like to have some more amenities for our dogs and our owners, and would truly like to raise upwards of $15,000 for this project. So, we have some work to do! Donors/local business fundraising efforts of $250 or more will earn a place on our dog park wall of fame, and the larger the donor, the more exposure we can give on the fence line! Contact Lynn about coordinating coordinating a community partnership with us at princewilliamcountydogs@gmail.com
• The PWC Parks Foundation has established on-line donaing capabilities! Chances are if you are reading this blog you're a little more geared toward the power of online giving than writing and mailing a check (or maybe that's just me) but the great news is you can do either now! Simply go to http://www.pwcparks.org/parksfoundation/SupportYourParks/MakeaGift/tabid/730/Default.aspx for the direct link to the PWC Parks Foundation giving page (this is the official holding account for all donations related to park projects and the place to go to ensure your donation is 100% tax-deductible). To donate, simply click on the donate link and fill out your credit card information. When you are asked to confirm your donation on the next page (and this is important) there will be a little box that asks for "Instructions to Seller". In this box, write "DOG PARK" or something noting your donation is restricted for Dog Park use. Otherwise, it will go to one of the other fantastic projects supported by the PWC Parks Foundation....still wonderful in the grand scheme of life, but you try explaining that to a dog wondering where the heck his park is.
• We are on Facebook! For the newest "what's new" about PWC Dogs, our fundraising efforts so far, our monthly meetings, and the work of our wonderful PWC Community partners, check us out and "Like" us at http://www.facebook.com/pwcdogs 
• Speaking of those monthly meetings, we have begun them for 2012, and the next one will be taking place on February 9th, 2012 at 7pm. We are in the midst of securing a regular location, so stay tuned for updates on the when and where. In the mean time, keep tuned in here at ye olde blog and on the PWC Dogs Facebook Page, or sign up for our listserv at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PWCDogs/ to be part of making the magic happen.

Hope to see you tomorrow night at the Hellwig Building, and thank you for your support thus far! We're all super excited for what's to come, and we want you to be involved!

With gratitude and doggie kisses,
The PWC Dogs

The Vote Is In!

On last night's yucky, rainy Wednesday, the Park Authority Board gathered and cast their vote on the Dog Park's master plan. Debbie Andrew, Operations, Planning
& Support Services Director, presented the plan for a second time (the first presentation was during a public hearing two weeks ago, where community members were able to voice their opinions on the Dog Park Plan and overwhelmingly supportive) and asked the board to accept the plan. Background on the project dates back to 2002, but those new to the community or unfamiliar with its history can view it on that meeting agenda here.

The Board of Directors cast their vote and were unanimously in favor of the master plan, which will be located at 13251 Sturbridge Rd, Lake Ridge VA. This is super exciting for all those in support of the dog park and especially those who have been steadfast in getting us to this point for nearly a decade!

We now need to raise the funds to support the project, estimated to be between $12,000-$15,000 and will need the community to come together to show support! Many in kind donations have already been promised and some funds have been raised, but the sooner we can get the entire PWC community involved, the faster we will have space to romp. The Park Authority Board has also asked that we present in the coming months our fundraising and progress report. This is the important part for all of you.

We realize that there have been separate efforts to start raising funds, and we would like to appear organized and unified as one community group.

In the coming weeks, we would like to have a meeting for all people interested in volunteering to promote, fundraise for, and take an active role in the dog park's inception, so please stay tuned here about when this meeting will be held, and please e-mail princewilliamcountydogs@gmail.com to let us know how you can support.

Ways to support include:

• Fundraising Committee
• Plan fundraising events
• Help maintain list for thank you letters after events – all donors for the event, volunteers who helped, etc.
• Help solicit donations for silent auctions/raffles
• Reach out to venues where we can hold events
• Help research on-line opportunities to raise money (like the rescue site challenge)
• Maintain a list of fundraising ideas proposed by volunteer
• Reply to donation emails/phone calls
• Work on grant applications
• Maintain record of donations (both monetary and in-kind)
• Promotions Committee
• Work with local media outlets to gain exposure for Dog Park
• Flyer and brochure distribution to local businesses about upcoming fundraisers, meetings, etc.
• Work with local businesses to help us promote joint effort fundraisers
• Web Developer
• Help to design and maintain a low-cost/no-cost website for the Dog Park Support Group, and serve as the official home base for new volunteers and dop park patrons to get information

If there is any other skill set that you would like to contribute, or if you are interested in getting your business involved as a corporate partner or sponsor, please also contact us at princewilliamcountydogs@gmail.com 

Finally, if you are interested in subscribing to our Dog Park Support Group Volunteer Listserv, please do! The link to go to is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PWCDogs/ and once you request permission to join, we will get you approved as a listserv member. The more volunteers we have, the better for the dog park!

Thanks so much, and yay for forward progress!
Prince William County Dogs

Tonight Is The Vote!

Tonight the Park Authority will vote on the master plan for the Sturbridge Road Dog Park proposed 2 weeks ago! If you can make it to show your community support, please do. The meeting will be at 7:30 pm 


The meeting will be held at the Park Authority Building at George Hellwig Park, 14420 Bristow Road, Manassas, VA


Click here to view the meeting calendar and agenda. 


Hope to see you there!
PWC Dogs

Yappy Tuesday, Parks Foundation Party Saturday, and Tweet All About It!

Hello Dog Blog Parkers!

Monday is upon us, which means it's time to start thinking of things to help you get through the week and start looking forward to next weekend! Here's what's coming up this week for Dog Park Support...we have not one, but two events to bark about!

• Tuesday, October 18 from 4-7 pm: Yappie Hour at Cock & Bowl Restaurant in Occoquan, 302 Poplar Alley.  Pooches are welcome anytime, but this yappie hour is going to the dogs! Bring your best friend and party on the patio. Food & Drink specials, treats for the furry kids, raffle prizes, live music, fun events and more! Proceeds from raffle & events will go towards the new Lake Ridge Dog Park construction, located at 13251 Sturbridge Road..
• Saturday, October 22 from 11am-2pm: Prince William County Foundation Kickoff Event to celebrate the newly formed foundation and the things it will support, Dog Parks included! This will be at George Hellwig Memorial Park, 14418 Bristow Road
  Manassas, VA 20112. Prince William County Dogs will be there with some of our pups to raise some much needed funds, answer questions, and share information. But aside from that, the event will be lots of fun! Take a look at the flyer below for the details on why you should be there (other than seeing us of course). You might also want to visit your local parks this week to pick up some raffle tickets and win some prizes at the event. :)

Finally, if you are out on Twitter, please take a second to follow us at @PWCDogs so you can follow our updates there and stay connected and reminded about what's up with the Dog Park and our friends that we follow!

Hope to see you out and about this week! Also, take time to share anything you want to share here on the comments section of this blog, or email princewilliamcountydogs@gmail.com

Thanks so much!
PWC Dogs

Welcome to the PWC Dogs' Blog!

Welcome to our Blog Park for the Dog Park!

Prince William County Dogs (or PWC Dogs) is a community based group that was formed by citizens of Prince William County who love our community, love our dogs, and value the benefits an off-leash Dog Park will offer to both!

Our Mission:

To work in partnership with the Prince William County Park Authority and Prince William County Parks Foundation to establish a fenced in, off-leash dog park where well-behaved canine citizens can exercise in a clean, safe environment. A beautiful, well-maintained space, open to all dog lovers and friends who are willing to uphold the park's rules and restrictions, is a community project designed to satisfy the needs of dog-owners and non-dog owners alike. Public education for dog owners will be critical to the park's success, and the park itself will provide a terrific venue for teaching people to be responsible dog owners.

So Where Are We Now?

The PWC Parks Planning Commission has approved the Dog Park plan for the Lake Ridge parcel off Minnieville Road, and a public hearing for the site plan was held just this week on October 12, 2011.

While this project is supported by the Park Authority and a separate holding account has been established by The Park Foundation, it must be funded privately by citizens who support the Dog Park Project!

The expected cost of the site development is estimated by the Park Authority to be $12,050. To raise the funds, it’s time to get our tails wagging for this awesome community project!

How You Can Help:

1. DONATE! The Prince William County Park Foundation has set up a separate holding account for any donations solicited for dog parks in PWC. They have requested the donations be in the form of a check, and that the check clearly identify that the donation is to go toward supporting dog parks.

Checks can be mailed to:

The Prince William County Park Foundation, Dog Park Account

14420 Bristow Road, Manassas, VA 20112

IMPORTANT: Please make sure donations specifically state “Dog Park Account” on it. The Park Foundation supports a number of community projects, so if your donation is in support of the Dog Park, you must note this to ensure it goes there! All donations are tax-deductible!

2. SUPPORT OR ORGANIZE A FUNDRAISER:

Community members have already begun organizing fundraisers to support the Dog Park, including:

-Yappy Hours at Cock & Bowl

Every Tuesday in October from 4-7 pm

302 Poplar Alley in Occoquan

(weather permitting, dogs welcome on the patio!)

- Prince William County Parks Foundation Kickoff Event

October 22 from 11am-2pm, George Hellwig Memorial Park

14418 Bristow Road, Manassas, VA 20112

(FREE EVENT, PWC Dogs have a fundraising table)

- Doggie Trick or Treat

Sunday October 30 from 12-3 pm

Meet at Fetch! Bakery at 305 Mill Street, Occoquan

If you would like to organize a fundraiser, we can promote it on our PWC Dogs Blog and ask our fellow Dog Park Supporters to promote it for you as well!

3. STAY POSTED:

Continue to check in with our blog for updates on more events, and comment often! There are also two Facebook Pages where people in the community are connecting and talking about the Dog Park. Check out the Community Supported Facebook pages at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prince-William-County-Dog-Park

or

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Unleash-YourVoice-Bring-A-Dog-Park-to-Prince-William-Co

Thanks so much for your support, and keep checking in and park barking with us!

~The Prince William County Dogs