By Selena Haynes
Going 21 years strong, the annual Bark in the Park, hosted by New Leash on Life (NLOL), returns Saturday, October 23 from 11 am – 4 pm. The event will be held at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon and this year the fundraiser will benefit both NLOL and the Empower Me Center.
According to the Empower Me Center, nearly one-fifth of Americans have a physical, sensory, or intellectual disability. In Tennessee alone, the Department of Education reported 128,439 registered children ages 3-21 with disabilities (excluding private and homeschooled students).
Services and programs available to those with disabilities are limited in Tennessee. Empower Me Center started off as a day camp in 1999 and has grown to offer weekly summer camps and year-round activities for more than 2100 individuals with special needs.
“Bark in the Park has always been a pet-friendly, family-friendly event. Adding “& Family Fun Day” and partnering with Empower Me does a few things: Brings Empower Me Center supporters, participants & their families an opportunity for accessible activities in our community; Increases inclusion, diversity & equity for members of our community; Provides an opportunity to attendees of the event to learn about another fantastic nonprofit agency of Wilson County; and, we see the partnership as a great way to improve the kid’s area of our event. We’re experts at dogs, but we could use some help in improving our games, attractions & activities for children,” said Angela Chapman, Executive Director of NLOL.
Attendees can expect to see a variety of vendors, games, and food trucks. There will also be a pet parade, costume contest, and the ever-loved lure course along with a free rabies vaccination clinic.
NLOL intakes over 700 animals yearly from Wilson County and those from outside of Wilson County as space allows. Fundraisers such as Bark in the Park provide much-needed funds for the organization to take care of these animals, provide education, raise awareness and help the community at large.
Bring your fur babies or even just yourself and enjoy a fun-filled day.
Visit https://www.newleashonline.org/bark-in-the-park for more information.
You can find out more about Empower Me Center by visiting https://www.empowermecenter.com/.
Covid precautions include social distancing signage and hand sanitizer stations. Masks are encouraged and will be available.
