Greyhounds in Gettysburg

A change of venue for this very large, boisterous event posed a major challenge for us this year. We had a few little glitches; nothing bad, but enough to keep us all on our toes. GiG is like an engine...

Our guests are like the gas (or electric charge). You make this event happen and continue to allow us to be successful every year. My first concern is not typically about money; it is about the guest experience. If you have a great time, you will want to come back. You are critical to our success. Without gas, the engine doesn't run.

Secondly, our volunteers are the gears, all working together to make things happen. I do get lots of credit for GiG's success, but believe me, without our dozens of volunteers doing what they do, there would be no event. I can't name everyone because for sure I would miss someone, but I do want to call out our board: Joy (our vendor coordinator); Beth (our treasurer and bean counter); Martha (our volunteer & raffle coordinator); Sharon (everywhere at once!); Bob (our President with the broken ankle who couldn't come); Gene (who couldn't be here but helped behind the scene) and Ellen (holding down the kennel at home). Our dozens of volunteers are dedicated and committed to this event and pitch in wherever and whenever needed. Many of you helped us tear down Friday night and Saturday afternoon, and we don't take that for granted. We cherish each and everyone of them/YOU.

Thirdly, our vendors deserve many kudos, and remind me of wheels on the car. They keep us moving! Several of them are there representing their adoption groups and raising money to continue their efforts. We are all in this together, and we value them because, again, without them, we have no event.

The Museum was a great new venue. Their volunteers were awesome, hauling tables, pulling people out of the bog, introducing us to the big machines, and being flexible when we needed them. Yes, it was a much tighter space, and if we go back there, we will tweak accordingly. We were spoiled by having such a huge, open space before. Change is never easy. Some really liked the more intimate setting, some did not, but all seemed to have a great time.

Yes, this is a mountain of work, and every year we say... nope, not doing this anymore... but once the dust has settled, we organize, put things away, and sleep. Then we start talking about next year. We tell ourselves we must be nuts, but the reality is that we all recognize that without these big events, where we see old friends and make new ones, we will lose our close-knit greyhound (and now sighthound) community. We must stick together if we are going to be successful in the future. We must continue raising money so that we can vet these precious souls when they are hurt. We must continue raising money so that we can transport them, feed them, and rehab them when they need it. Never forget that all of this is for the dogs; they deserve our undying love and attention and soft couches.

On behalf of Nittany Greyhounds and all of the other groups that participated, THANK YOU for supporting GiG! - Toni.