Edwards Interfaith Chapel and Community Center hosts Canine Companions for Independence Event

Canine Companions for Independence, a national non-profit organization with a regional Colorado office and a dedicated corps of volunteers in the Vail Valley will host its annual fundraiser at the Edwards Interfaith Chapel and Community Center on August 15th from 5:30 – 8:30 pm.  The event will showcase several graduates of the program, an international buffet, live auction and a special guest of honor – teenage author, Shea Megale.  Tickets are $100 for adults and $50 for children.

Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) provides highly trained service dogs to children and adults with disabilities.  CCI dogs are provided to clients at no cost – all expenses of breeding and training a Canine Companion are funded through private donations.  Several dogs have been placed in the last few years with veterans who have received disabling injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We rely on the donations of private citizens as well as their time to help train these wonderful animals so that those in need can have help", says Joan Solon, longtime volunteer and organizer of the event.  "We will have several graduate teams at the event which includes CCI dogs and their owners and there will be demonstrations showcasing the remarkable capabilities of the dogs."

The evening will feature teenage author, Shea Megale, who wrote the "Marvelous Mercer" book series featured by FAO Schwarz. The books describe the imaginary exploits of her beloved CCI assistance dog Mercer, who would sneak out of the house in the middle of the night and experience activities that Shea herself would never be able to do.  Shea has Spinal Muscular Atrophy and has been confined to a wheelchair for most of her young life.

The evening will also showcase an international buffet which will be offered by local chefs including Richard Bailey of Coco Bar Cascades, Paul Ferzacca of La Tour Restaurant, Peter Millette of Sapphire Restaurant and Oyster Bar and Paul Wade of the Lodge at Vail. 

A live auction will be held offering valuable and exciting items such as a rare Bainbridge white Labrador Retriever puppy (Not a CCI dog); a week at a luxury villa in Tuscany; a five day stay at a game lodge in Namibia Africa; an original painting by renowned Western artist, Carrie Fell.  A silent auction will be held as well.

Tickets cost $100 for adults and $50 for children between 6 and 12 years old. Children 5 and under will be admitted free. CCI dogs are welcome to attend.  Reservations are required. For further information or to make a donation, call Joan Solon at 970-926-0573.

About the Eagle Valley Religious Foundation

The Eagle Valley Religious Foundation (EVRF) is an oversight board that runs the Edwards Interfaith Chapel and Community Center.  This Board is comprised of members and clergy of each of the congregations that occupy the chapel including:  B'nai Vail, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, Christ Church Anglican and Mount of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church.  For more information go to edwardsinterfaithchapel.org or call the office at 970-926-3388.

About Canine Companions for Independence

Founded in 1975, Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. Headquartered in Santa Rosa, CA, CCI is the largest non-profit provider of assistance dogs, and is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. The result is a life full of increased independence and loving companionship.  Their website is www.cci.org.