East Earl resident and member of the Misfits on a Mission Relay For Life team Sharon Groff, is a woman who believes in giving a project her all. Groff loves the idea of Bark For Life, an American Cancer Society Relay For Life event involving dogs and their owners, so she decided to get behind the concept and do her best to make it succeed.

The result is the first Ephrata-area Bark For Life, to be held at New Life Fellowship Church, 420 E. Fulton St., Ephrata, on Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. "It's a dog-friendly event," said Groff. "It's a community event." No admission will be charged to attend Bark For Life.

Not only will dogs be welcome, but they also will have the opportunity to show off a little if they take part in the Strut Your Mutt parade scheduled to begin at 10:10 a.m. "There will be judges and prizes in different categories," said Groff, who noted that dressing one's dog up is encouraged but not required.

Dogs who work to rescue humans will be featured in a Pennsylvania Canine Search and Rescue (PACSAR) demonstration at 10:30 a.m. PACSAR's highly trained and certified volunteers provide free search and rescue services using canines. At 11 a.m., the fun for pups will continue with doggie games, including musical sit, which will involve hula hoops. "We stop the music and the dog without a hula hoop is out, and then we will take a hula hoop away," explained Groff. "We may do that a couple times depending on how many dogs register." At 11:30 a.m., Your Inner Dog, which specializes in holistic dog behavior and wellness, will give a demo, and at noon Officer Bill Watt and Tundra of the East Hempfield Township Police K9 Unit will give a demonstration.

Groff has also lined up community servants and apparatus to interest area residents of all ages. "The Ephrata Pioneer Fire Company will be on hand," she noted. "The Ephrata Ambulance will hand out coloring books to kids, and there will be a police cruiser here. We are making it a complete community event."

To raise funds for Relay For Life, a live auction featuring James "Max" Fishel as auctioneer, will be held at 1 p.m. Among the many donated items will be 100 themed baskets and gift certificates to local attractions. "Two of the biggest items are two Hall of Fame Philadelphia Phillies tickets and a ride-along stock car experience at Pocono Raceway," said Groff.

Other organizations that will have a presence at the event include United Disability Services service dogs, Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services (KPETS), Ladies Lending Paws, Speranza Animal Rescue, Charlie's Crusaders Pet Rescue, and Leo's Helping Paws. Groff has also lined up about 30 vendors, mostly crafters with a few home businesses mixed in.

Food items that will be for sale at the event include hot dogs sold by New Life Fellowship, breakfast sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, fries, pretzel sandwiches, soft pretzels, baked goods, and cotton candy.

Groff noted that she is still looking for area businesses to donate items for the auction or sponsor the event. "If a business would like to sponsor a theme basket, they can contact me," said Groff. Readers who would like to donate may call 717-354-2656 or email sgroff56@gmail.com. More information about the event may be found at http://www.relayforlife.org/barklancasterpa.