Commentary: Say ‘Bone Appétit’ and help someone in need

Monday, September 6, 2010, 12:20 pm

By Beth Wolfer

Volunteer exemplifies spirit of 35th annual Canine Companions event

“Emily Williams is tops. She has compassion and experience, and with the full range of the services we offer she is a very hard worker, always supportive and always there to assist. Give me 20 more just like Emily!” —Corey Hudson, Canine Companions CEO

Beth Wolfer

We’re hearing a lot of overwhelming numbers in the news these days – unemployment, harvests lost, budget cuts.

But local business owner Emily Williams, who owns Empire Too Japanese Car Repair with her husband, Dan, pays little attention to those numbers. Her focus is on numbers like four, as in Santa Rosa’s Canine Companions for Independence’s slogan, “Help is a four-legged word.”

And as a devoted long-time volunteer, Emily enjoys the happy coincidence that her 35th wedding anniversary coincides with Canine Companions’ 35th birthday. For 21 years Emily has volunteered in many capacities, starting as a puppy raiser to Maizie in 1989, and eventually spending countless hours whelping a total of 37 litters (that’s 296 puppies) from 10 breeder dogs.

Emily Williams and friends

Canine Companions has also benefited from Emily’s dedication to concurrent roles as national board member, co-founder of the Breeder Caretaker Council and co-chair of Canine Companions’ annual local fundraiser, “Bone Appétit – A Celebration of Great Pairings,” happening this year on Sept. 12 at the Jean and Charles Schulz Campus.

Says Jeannie Schulz, a Canine Companions national board member, “Emily has had my respect from the day I met her. She completely enraptured me when I took visitors to meet her 6-week-old litter. Listening to her ‘midwife’ experiences with 37 litters, I realized the level of expertise she’s gained – which she generously shares with others. Emily is a jewel.”

Canine Companions for Independence provides highly trained assistance dogs to people with an array of disabilities, free of charge. By the 2010 November graduation, Canine Companions will have placed its 3,500th dog in its 35-year history through its five campuses nationwide. Volunteers like Emily Williams have been instrumental in making that happen.

Emily’s continued participation in and leadership of the Northwest Region’s annual fundraiser has taken her involvement to a new level. Her company, Empire Too, is again a Gold Paw Sponsor for the Sept. 12 event, and the Williams urge other businesses and individuals to give from their hearts to this worthy local organization.

Canine Companions needs community support this year to keep these programs going on a national and local level. Just $9,000 short of its event sponsorship goal currently, the agency invites you or your business to join them in this worthwhile endeavor.

Bone Appétit features food and wine pairing from noted chefs and local wineries, including B.R. Cohn Winery, Moondance Cellars, DeSchmire Restaurant and La Gare Restaurant.

There will also be live and silent auctions, with items such as tickets to “Dancing with the Stars” in Los Angeles; trips to Martha’s Vineyard, New Orleans and New York; a rare bottle of scotch; a collection of 48 library-quality wines in a climate-controlled wine vault; and more.

Tickets are $75 each or $125 per pair.

Says Emily Williams, “Please help CCI raise some numbers we can celebrate.”

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Beth Wolfer is the development director for the northwest region for Canine Companions. To secure your own tickets or find out about sponsoring the event, please visit www.cci.org/boneappetit or call 707-577-1838.