Hot Dog Sale Benefits Service Dogs

Members of the Order of the Eastern Star prepared and sold hot dogs and hamburgers outside of the Co-op grocery store on August 1 in support of service dogs. Photo Caylie Gnyra

With August 4–10 being recognized as the annual International Assistance Dog Week, Cornerstone Co-op paired up with the Order of the Eastern Star on August 1 to sell hot dogs and hamburgers to raise funds for the BC/AB Guide Dogs program.

The sale ran from 11 a.m.–1 p.m., with Co-op setting up, supplying the barbecue and propane along with a high-traffic location in front of the food store, and cleaning up afterward, while the Order of the Eastern Star purchased the food and beverages from Co-op and did all of the cooking and serving.

The Order of the Eastern Star, a Masonic appendant body open to both men and women, is heavily invested in fundraising for service dogs, recognizing their contributions in guiding the visually impaired, alerting the hearing impaired, aiding those with mobility issues, and offering emotional support for those with autism and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It takes over two years and more than $35,000 to produce one certified dog, provided free of charge to the recipient.

In addition to the hamburgers and hot dogs and donations which raised $537, the Order of the Eastern Star also had $5 raffle tickets and $15 Going to the Dogs recipe books for sale.

To learn more or make a donation to the cause, visit www.bcandalbertaguidedogs.com