FORT SMITH (KFSM)--The Sebastian County Humane Society is having financial problems and could face closing its doors.
Amanda Langley, a local boutique owner, said she wanted to help the moment she heart the humane society. She began by taking donations to the shelter but realized that wasn't enough.
“What is one bag of dog food going to do for them,” Langley said. “That`s not going to last them , so I really felt impacted to do something about it.”
She also arranged a 5K to benefit the humane society.
Langley said she invited anyone who can run, walk or not participate at all. She just asks that people come together to bring donations of dog and cat food and other pet items.
You can bring donations to the race or take them to Southern Charm Boutique or Brick City, both on Rogers Avenue in Fort Smith, Ark.
“I really do hope the community pulls together as a team, and local businesses get together and show their support,” Langley said. “If we don`t take care of our own community who`s going to?”
Someone else in the community felt the same way.
Ella Harmon said she didn't think twice about helping the humane society, so she set up a lemonade stand at the corner of 24th and W Street.
“I felt really sad, and I started tearing up, and I felt like I`m going to cry because I love animals so much,” said Harmon.
She said the Sebastian County Humane Society has a special place in her family’s hearts because they adopted their Golden Doodle, Charlie there.
“Those people are just the greatest people we`ve ever met, and I just thank the Lord for these people,” Harmon said.
The lemonade stand will be open Saturday (August 15) from 10 to 3, and Harmon and her family plan to hold a bake sale Sunday (August 16) at Goddard church, but that’s not all Harmon is doing to help.
“For my birthday I`m not wanting presents, “ Harmon said. “I`m going to have donations for the dogs and animals, and that`s what I really want because all those toys would be in my room just sitting.”
Harmon said her lemonade stand has raised more than $1,200 so far.
Langley's race will be Saturday (August 29) at Wells Lake and will start at 8 AM, but runners can register as early as 7 AM.
For registration detail, click here.
The cost is $30 comes with a t-shirt.