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Santa Paws Proves Successful

Santa Paws

This year's donations at Santa Paws were more than double those of the previous year

OMAHA - Pet lovers and their furry friends filled the Bookworm in Loveland Centre with good tidings on Sunday, Dec. 7, as they took part in the 8th Annual Santa Paws event, raising $800 for Hearts United for Animals, a national no-kill shelter, sanctuary and animal welfare organization.

Santa and Mrs. Claus took pictures with pets from noon until 3 p.m. during the event. Pet owners had the option of purchasing one picture for $20 or two for $25.

“We had so much fun seeing pets get into the holiday spirit with their owners for such a great cause,” said Trent Ostrom, co-service director of MavPRSSA, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).

All proceeds fom the event are being sent to Hearts United for Animals. The nonprofit group’s major focus is to end overpopulation of domestic animals and the suffering of dogs in large breeding establishments. 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.

"Our Santa Paws event was extremely successful this year,” said Bert Huebert, coservice director of MavPRSSA. “We were able to double our donations from $400 to over $800 dollars this year for Hearts United for Animals. It was especially exciting to hear numerous stories from attendees about how Hearts United for Animals had affected them personally."

The annual event is sponsored by MavPRSSA. For the past eight years, students have planned the event and donated the proceeds to a local animal shelter or rescue group.

For more information, contact Bert Huebert at ehuebert@unomaha.edu or 402.366.8234, or visit https://www.facebook.com/maverickPRSSA.

MavPRSSA offers a wide range of opportunities for professional development and community engagement. UNO PRSSA won a national award for Outstanding Community Service in 2013. PRSSA 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.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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