Father, daughter on 600-mile walk to help pets

Ritzville and Lind are going to have two special guests visiting town on Thursday and Friday this week. On Thursday, April 25, Mike Hansen and his daughter, Leah, are walking into Ritzville and then on to Lind on Friday, as part of their trip to Newport, Ore.

Mike and Leah began their journey from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on April 23 and their voyage is set to end 600 miles later in Newport.

The father and daughter hope to reach Newport by May 18 to celebrate the Rogue Brewery’s sixth annual Brewer’s Memorial Ale Festival, which benefits Oregon Coast animal charities.

Mike is the board president of an organization called H.E.L.P., meaning Help Every Little Paw. Leah is a volunteer for the non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing health and happiness to pets.

The organization was opened in November of 2010 and to date has helped about 50 pets with medical and food needs in the Coeur d’Alene area. The Hansen’s decided to make the trek across two states in order to raise awareness and funds for the organization.

H.E.L.P. works with veterinarians in North Idaho to provide the necessary care and attention for pets when owners are financially unable to provide for their animal. The individuals who volunteer for the organization make their decision based on the belief that animals should not have to suffer because of the current economic state.

The Hansen duo has been sponsored by multiple local area businesses, some sponsoring by the mile and others simply contributing funds to the organization. The fundraising thermometer on the organizations website shows the group has raised around $13,000 since the opening of the business.

Mike and Leah have begun updating and talking about their journey on the H.E.L.P. Facebook page. Every day, they post the progress they have made, the people they have met and the places that they have stayed.

Information about H.E.L.P., the progress the Hansen’s have made and the complete list of sponsors are available on the H.E.L.P. website, http://www.helpeverylittlepaw.org.

Individuals who are interested in donating to the organization can do so on the website.