Student PR Firm to Host 'Santa Paws' Fundraiser

Omaha – Metro-area pet lovers will have a chance to get a photo of their furry friend with Santa Claus – all for a worthy cause – thanks to the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and Santa Paws.

Sponsored annually by Maverick PR, UNO’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), “Santa Paws” will take place at the Bookworm bookstore in Countryside Village, 87th and Pacific Streets, on Sunday, Dec. 8, from noon to 3 p.m.

All proceeds from Santa Paws will go to the Hearts United for Animals animal shelter.

Hearts United for Animals is a national no-kill shelter, sanctuary and animal welfare organization dedicated to the relief of suffering. Their major areas of effort are to end overpopulation of domestic animals and the suffering of dogs in large breeding establishments.

For the past seven years students have planned the event and donated the proceeds to a different local animal shelter or rescue group.

“Our students especially look forward to this event each year because they love working with animals and are very supportive of the work a shelter like Hearts United does to save them,” said Karen Weber, PRSSA faculty adviser.

At the event, special “elves” will distribute free treats (for people and pets) to all who attend. For $15, pet owners will receive a photo of their pet with Santa.

For more information, contact Angela Eastep at aeastep@unomaha.edu or 402.880.5593, or visit www.maverickprssa.com.

For media requests, contact Charley Reed at unonews@unomaha.edu or at 402.554.2129.

Hearts United for Animals is a 501(c)(3) organization that receives no government funding and exists solely on donations and the all-volunteer staff.

MaverickPR offers a wide range of opportunities for professional development and community engagement. UNO PRSSA won a national award for Outstanding Community Service in 2013. PRSAA awarded the UNO chapter with its highest honor, the F.H. Teahan National Award for Outstanding Chapter in 2012 and 2009. In 2011, the chapter earned recognition as the UNO Outstanding Student Organization.

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The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s metropolitan university. The core values of the institution place students at the center of all that the university does; call for the campus to strive for academic excellence; and promote community engagement that transforms and improves urban, regional, national and global life. UNO, inaugurated in 1968, emerged from the Municipal University of Omaha, established in 1931, which grew out of the University of Omaha founded in 1908.