The second installment of Meridian Kiwanis Club of Columbus’ “Coolest Pet” contest raised $6,367 for local, state and national efforts to reduce infant mortality.
The money will be donated to the March of Dimes, Riley Children’s Foundation Be the Hope Now campaign and the Healthy Communities Infant Mortality Prevention Team at Columbus Regional Hospital, said Dick Boyce, Meridian Kiwanis Club of Columbus member.
Though the goal was to raise $12,000, Boyce said he felt the contest was a success given the COVID-19 pandemic. In April, the Meridian Kiwanis Club of Columbus extended the contest deadline until May 31 due to concerns over the pandemic.
The contest has raised $13,190 over the past two years.
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“Just as we launched the contest, COVID-19 began and so that kind of interrupted everything,” Boyce said. “I think we feel good about what we did, but we would have liked to have raised more.”
The contest was conducted online at gogophotocontest.com/meridiankiwanis2020. Contestants went to the website, paid $10 and uploaded a photo of their cat, dog or “unique pet” and wrote a few brief sentences about why they thought their pet is the coolest pet in Columbus. The $10 entry fee included 10 votes, and additional votes could be purchased for $1 each.
A total of 28 dogs were entered into the competition, with a Goldendoodle named Augie receiving the most votes, 1,731, according to the contest’s website.
Eight cats were entered, led by Geneveive, a rescue, with 525 votes. In the “unique pets” category, “Mercaptan Ollie,” a skunk, took home first place with 545 votes.
An awards party was initially planned at Upland Columbus Pump House, 148 Lindsey St., but it is unclear when it will be held, Boyce said.
Last year, eight infants died before their first birthday within Bartholomew County, compared to four infant deaths in 2018, according to the Bartholomew County Health Department. The department only tracks deaths that occurred within the county and statistics may not reflect the infants’ county of residence.
“We would certainly hope that things get better and the infant mortality rate is controlled in Bartholomew County, and all three organizations are working toward that end,” Boyce said.
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Visit www.gogophotocontest.com/meridiankiwanis2020 for more information about the contest.
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