Photo Credit: Karissa Wilkinson
Raising a dog and making a difference acted as one common goal for Woodland Regional High School senior Karissa Wilkinson.
Wilkinson and her family raised a seeing eye dog named Ian for fifteen months through a non-profit organization called Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind provides guide dog services to those who need it free of charge, supported solely by donations.
According to guidingeyes.org, 150 guide dogs were provided to the blind or visually impaired and 12 service dogs were provided to children with autism.
Wilkinson taught Ian basic commands and attended classes with him for twelve weeks. She and her family also taught him basic skills like not to beg for food.To make Ian become more comfortable in social situations, he was brought many places like the grocery store.
The idea to raise Ian was suggested by Wilkinson’s mother. Although unable to do so, her grandmother had always wanted to raise one of these guiding eye dogs.
“We raised Ian partly to honor my grandmother,” said Wilkinson.
On November 8th, Ian left the Wilkinson family to begin more training to be a guide dog. He will eventually be provided to someone who will value and appreciate his services.
So, when Wilkinson was told she had to run a “philanthropic event” as part of the National Honor Society, she chose to hold a raffle, benefiting Guiding Eyes for the Blind, an organization now very close to her heart.
“I took the opportunity to run a fundraiser to benefit Guiding Eyes since the organization means so much to me,” said Wilkinson.
Other NHS members helping Wilkinson to run the fundraiser are Ewelina Lemanski, Elaine Ferretti, Jaime Dizazzo, Noelle Mayne, and Alyssa Parrella. They will be selling tickets for $2 each during lunch waves from
December 1st to December 19th. The raffle drawing will be held at the boys’ home basketball game on December 19th.
The lucky winner will receive an autographed framed photo of Eli Manning, New York Giant’s football player, holding a Guiding Eyes Puppy.
Guiding Eyes provided three prizes for the raffle including the 1st place framed photo and a Guiding Eyes Messenger Bag and stuffed animal for the third place winner.Second through sixth places will receive prizes including gift cards to local businesses such as Nardelli’s and Peachwave.
All donations will go directly to Guiding Eyes for the Blind and the money raised will be used to train and prepare the dogs.
This fundraiser is just an example of Wilkinson’s devotion to these dogs and this organization, and she will continue to hold this organization close to her heart.
