Donations help needy dogs, cats at ‘Taking Care of Paws’ – Sasha’s Way’

A Cahaba Shriners clown visits with event organizers Liz Cuneo, from left, coordinator Beth Mumaw and Shrail Heinrich at the “Taking Care of Paws – Sasha’s Way” celebration at Kids Kingdom. (RECORD PHOTO/GREGG PARKER)

A boy takes a balloon flower from a clown with Cahaba Shriners of Huntsville’s Buffoon Unit at “Taking Care of Paws – Sasha’s Way.” (RECORD PHOTO/GREGG PARKER)

MADISON – As a thundershower subsided, well-wishers’ spirits raised for Alexandra ‘Sasha’ Dison’s birthday commemoration at the “Taking Care of Paws – Sasha’s Way” celebration on Aug. 17.

Sasha would have celebrated her tenth birthday on Aug. 14; she passed away on April 27 from Stage 4 rhabdomayosarcoma, a cancer of the connective tissue. Her legacy continues for feeding needy animals.

About 115 attended the event at Kids Kingdom in Dublin Park. “About half knew Sasha through her school or were family friends,” event organizer Beth Mumaw said.

Others were “friends of friends” or had included Sasha on their church’s prayer chain. Animal rescue groups, including Challenger’s House and Friends of Rescue, attended and had benefited from the TCP – Sasha’s Way fundraiser in April.

Jonathan and Larissa Dison, Sasha’s parents, “were extremely pleased with how many people came, especially with inclement weather,” Mumaw said.

Mike Locke with Big Heart Pet Brands brought a tractor-trailer full of dog and cat food, approximately 3,000 lbs. Individuals donated almost 700 pounds of dry food and canned items.

Guests placed about $300 in a donation jar to help rescue animals.

For entertainment, two clowns visited from the Buffoon Unit with Cahaba Shriners of Huntsville and fashioned animals, flowers and hats for the children. Youngsters had their faces painted and played fish bowl toss.

Golden Flake donated snack chips and helium for balloons. Sara Lee gave hot dog buns for the cookout. Culligan donated bottled water, and Sundrop donated beverages. Guests enjoyed slices of two large birthday cakes. Brain Freeze sold ice cream.

As a closing, Rev. Scott Peterson of Messiah Lutheran Church led prayer. Guests then blew hundreds of bubbles into the air. Mumaw had planned to release purple-and-turquoise balloons, Sasha’s favorite colors, but realized the downed balloons can harm wildlife.

This event was only the beginning for TCP-Sasha’s Way. “We’ll continue to keep her dream alive by feeding and caring for sick and homeless animals,” Mumaw said.

For more information, visit sashasway.org.