Charity Show Home Grand Prize Winner Announced
Eva Heakin Winner In Name The Guide Dog Puppy.
When Eva Heakin purchased a ticket to visit Westwater Construction’s “In The Doghouse” Show Home in Lake Club, she never expected her visit would have a long-lasting impact. Her ticket stub was the winning raffle entry and the prize was selecting the name for a Southeastern Guide Dog puppy.
Eva, who coincidently uses a service dog named Gracie to assist with various tasks, has selected the name “Oko.” “It means ‘eye’ in Polish. Being of Polish descent, I thought it was a fitting name for a dog that will be someone’s eyes.”
Chris and Lynn McNamee opened their home to visitors last month as a way to raise funds for Southeastern Guide Dogs of Palmetto. “We wanted to do something to show our appreciation for all that Southeastern does” stated Chris, a graduate of the school. Over the week the show home was open, the McNamees raised nearly $4,000 for the school that provides their services to the visually impaired at no charge and with no government funding.
About Southeastern Guide Dogs: Established in 1982, Southeastern Guide Dogs’ mission is to create and nurture a partnership between a visually impaired individual and a guide dog, facilitating life’s journey with mobility, independence and dignity. Through their programs Paws for Independence, Paws for Patriots, and Gifted Canines they have more than 800 active guide dog teams across the nation and continue to add more than 70 teams annually, all at no charge to the guide dog recipient, thanks to the generous support of donors and volunteers. Visit www.guidedogs.org for further information.
Photo Left to Right: Chris McNamee with guide dog Max, Kevin Heakin, Eva Heakin with service dog Gracie and Lynn McNamee
Tags: Chris McNamee, Eva Heakin, Lake Club, Lynn McNamee, Westwater Construction