The rumbling of the engines that permeated along Lodgeville Road off of Route 50 over a warm weekend earlier this month represented more than a bunch of motorcyclists gathering for a good time. It represented the biker community’s support for an area organization that has a lasting impact on many families in our region. The Hogs for Dogs Dice Run once again kicked off this year to raise funds for the Humane Society of Harrison County. With over 600 bikers from all across the state, the dice run stops off at five locations along a 120-mile route, each location welcomes the hundreds of bikers with food and entertainment, all while raising money for a worthwhile cause.
“All of the funds raised goes directly to the Harrison County Humane Society,” Traci Nicholson, a co-organizer of the event said. “We have a great response every year and raise some money to help out the animal shelter.”
As a group, motorcyclists all over the region, have always been heavily involved in supporting local organizations like the Humane Society. From helping children during the holidays to raising money for scholarships or animals, bikers continue the tradition of working to support and develop the community where they live. The group of participants in this most recent Hogs for Dogs was no exception.
The idea of the run stemmed from Traci and her husband, Chuck’s love for both riding and animals. Hogs for Dogs has become one of the largest annual fundraisers for the Humane Society, who appreciates the level of participation every year. However, none of it could take place without the volunteers that assist in putting the event on, with the “chief volunteer” leading the charge, Traci Nicholson. Her leadership has allowed the event to take place annually for 17 years, each year with a new route and a new sense.
“Traci works hard each year to support our organization through this and other events,” stated Frankie Dennison, Director of the Humane Society of Harrison County. “Her work and dedication to Hogs for Dogs and to the animals at the Humane Society has left a lasting impact that we could never measure.”
“As a lifelong supporter of the Humane Society, I welcome honoring such a committed volunteer such as Traci, that works hard to support an important organization within our community,” said Tim Miley, owner of The Miley Legal Group. “The Hogs for Dogs event, under Traci’s leadership, showcases the generosity of those in the local motorcycle community. It also reflects the importance of volunteerism and support for the community at large. Traci is a wonderful human being, and her dedication to supporting the Humane Society has directly impacted many families in our region.”
One of the primary goals of the Humane Society of Harrison County is to maintain an animal shelter for unwanted animals, with the objective of securing them loving homes. The funding from the Hogs for Dogs event allows the Humane Society to match potential pets with loving families that will have a lasting effect on everyone in the community.
“The Humane Society of Harrison County is a very important organization to the safety and well being of our regions animals,” stated Marisa Matyola of WBOY. “Without the support of fundraisers like the Hogs for Dogs event and volunteers like Traci, abandoned pets and animals in our community may not get the attention and care that they so deserve.”
To learn more about the Humane Society of Harrison County, visit www.hshcwv.org. To learn more about the Hogs for Dogs Dice Run, visit the Humane Society’s website and click on the link or visit their Facebook page.
The Celebrating Volunteers awardees receive public recognition for not only themselves but their organization. They also receive a $500 contribution to the organization they represent in their name. Marisa Matyola of WBOY TV and Tim Miley of The Miley Legal Group work together to select the awardees from the many nominations received from the public. The volunteer selected will have demonstrated their commitment to an organization through volunteerism and support.
“I am an avid supporter of volunteerism in our communities,” Miley stated. “The Celebrating Volunteers program is a way that we can recognize the hard work and dedication of individuals across our region.”
We look forward to recognizing a number of worthy individuals while giving their organizations a part of the spotlight. The program will continue recognizing volunteers throughout the coming year. In order to nominate a volunteer to receive this award, please click on the Celebrating Volunteers logo.
