Wanted: Best Pet Pic To Help Rotary Club Send A Kid To Camp Rising Sun

EAST HAVEN, CT — Say cheese. Or just bark or meow.

Enter a picture of your pet in the inaugural East Haven Rotary/Camp Rising Sun Virtual Pet Photo Contest and help send a kid who's faced cancer to a week of camp.

The Rotary said it was "thrilled to introduce" the face of its newest fundraiser is K9 Bear, one of just four service K9s in the state, and with over 10,000 hours of socialization.

The club recently partnered with Camp Rising Sun, in Colebrook. The camp welcomes any child 5 to 17, who has faced a diagnosis of cancer, giving these children a full week of fun and friendship. The Rotary "made a commitment" that beginning this summer, it will sponsor a deserving local child each year, enabling them to attend the camp.

K-9 Bear, the event’s official mascot is a full ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Certified Service Dog. He's celebrating his one-year anniversary with the Middletown Police Department. Bear was chosen by the club to be the pet photo contest mascot because he and his handler, Middletown police Officer Jay Bodell, were inducted into the Middletown Rotary Club. That makes K9 Bear first "ADA Certified Service Dog Rotarian."

The goal of the Rotary’s Virtual Pet Photo Contest is to raise the $2,000 necessary to send one camper for the week.

Contestants can submit photos at $5 each, then spread the word to family and friends to cast their vote at $1 per vote. The contest opens to all on May 25. Details are on the Rotary website here. Also check out the Rotary Facebook page here.

Contest prizes include cash, gift cards, and a gift basket donated by Tractor Supply Co.

For more information, contact Kirsten Dudley via email to kldfla@yahoo.com or call (860) 301-9009.