You can help decide which pooch (or group of canines) is the Top Dog of Chelsea while at the same time supporting a good cause.
Sharon Township resident Barbara Marshall has teamed up with 12 Chelsea area businesses for the fun contest as part of her fundraising efforts for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in October.
From Sept. 27-Oct. 17, people can stop by one or more of the dozen local businesses and vote for the dog of their choice by making a $1 per vote donation.
Participating businesses are: Pancho Villa, Stiver’s, Thompson’s Pizzeria, Global Marketplace, The Chelsea Tree House, Seitz’s Tavern, Wolverine Food and Spirits, Cleary’s Pub, Ellie’s Place, Arctic Breakaway, Uptown Coney Island and Chelsea Lanes/Antique Mall.
At each location will be a photo and information about each top dog contender. Throughout the three weeks of the contest, people can read about the dog that is being sponsored by the participating businesses and “vote” for their favorites. At the end of the contest, the entry that gets the most votes and thereby raises the most money for the cause, will be named the Top Dog of Chelsea.
Last year, Marshall said, she gave out trophies, but isn’t sure yet what she’ll surprise the winners with this year. In 2011, with six entries, the contest ran for a little more than two weeks and about $4,000 was raised for the walk.
So with 12 entries, and the contest running for three weeks this year, she hopes for even greater participation.
Once the contest starts, each business can promote their entry in any way they choose, she said.
Marshall also wanted to thank Scott Eckland of Chelsea Signs, for donating his services to make posters for each business. In addition, she said, Fire Lt. Scott Basar and Jessica Milliken of the Chelsea Teddy Bear Factory helped promote the contest as part of the Paint Chelsea Pink event, which will take place Saturday, Sept 29.
This will make Marshall’s 10th consecutive Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, an event sponsored by the American Cancer Society, which will take place on Oct. 27 at Washtenaw Community College beginning at 9 am.
“My overall fundraising total for the previous nine walks is just over $128,000 and last year, I was honored to be the seventh highest fundraiser in the entire nation for this walk,” she said via email.
As of Sept. 13, her fundraising total for this year’s walk is just over $12,000.
Marshall is a member and the captain of the Bethlehem Striders, the team of walkers from the Bethlehem United Church of Christ in Ann Arbor.
In addition, she will be collecting donations outside of Polly’s Country Market on Saturday. Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
