BlueGrace Chicago Offices Participate in Annual Chicago Marathon on behalf of Team Paws

On October 12, 2014 Will Augustine, of our BlueGrace Corporate Chicago office and Randy Vlasic, franchise owner of BlueGrace ORD which is also located in Chicago are both participating in the Team Paws Marathon run. Approximately 15,000 debut runners (45,000 total runners) are expected in this year’s race. In 1997, PAWS Chicago was founded to end the unnecessary killing of homeless pets by informing and engaging the public and the media to help bring about change. By rescuing homeless pets, treating those who are sick or injured, and finding them loving new homes, PAWS Chicago is saving the lives of more than 5,600 pets every year. PAWS also focuses on prevention, providing over 18,000 low cost/free spay or neuter surgeries in low-income communities where most stray and unwanted pets originate. In 2007 they implemented the first cage less, no-kill adoption center with a welcoming and happy environment, this makes PAWS Chicago the largest No Kill shelter in the nation. This event will have a live DJ, food and drinks for everyone that attends.

BlueGrace has a whole has a big initiative to participate in the community that’s why we have a “Giving Grace Charity Program.” BlueGrace’s employees are all animal lovers and our biggest philanthropy is animals, which is why PAWS Chicago is our Chicago’s office’s charity of choice. BlueGrace ORD is also involved with Paws Chicago and that is their charity of choice, participating in events and sponsorships. For this race, these two have raised over 2,000 dollars that will be donated to Paws Chicago to help take care of all animals in the shelter.

“This is going to be my 4th time running the Chicago Marathon for Team PAWS. I previously ran in 2010, 2011, and 2012. I made the choice to become vegetarian about 8 years ago, primarily because animal rights has been a subject that I hold near and dear to my heart. PAWS Chicago exhibits such tremendous passion about animal rights and continually pushes the envelope on standards for how animals are treated. When I ran my first marathon, I discovered Team PAWS Chicago and realized that I could easily commit my efforts to supporting their cause. On top of that, there is no better way to see the city of Chicago than running 26.2 miles through its streets with a couple hundred thousand friends cheering you on,” says Will Augustine of BlueGrace Chicago Corporate office

“I am extremely excited to be running the Chicago Marathon on behalf of Team Paws and BlueGrace ORD. As owners of a BlueGrace franchise we truly believe in duplicating the culture that BlueGrace had developed. Our initiative to partner with Team Paws corresponds with BlueGrace’s involvement with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. We chose the Paws charity to save the lives of homeless animals, and to provide those animals with the proper care until they can find a home. As Chicago’s largest no kill humane organization, BlueGrace ORD is proud to be a partner in this movement and we look forward to our continued partnership with Paws Chicago for years to come,” says Randy Vlasic Franchise Owner of BlueGrace ORD

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