Drool in the Pool returns to Chinook Sept. 7

Press release

The Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation are excited to announce the third annual Drool in the Pool event to be held at the Chinook Swimming Pool and Park Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.

"This fun-filled event allows your dogs to swim in the Pool from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.," Friends said in a release. "Even if you do not have a dog, we encourage you to come join in the fun.

"We have some fun new pet-related events to showcase, the release continues. "We are partnering with PAWS, the Chinook Lion's Club and Brickents to help raise money for three separate causes: The Chinook Pool, Chinook Lion's Skatepark and PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving). New this year, there will be a PAWS Adoption Event so come down and see the dogs that are available to adopt all while watching the community dogs swim in the pool, it will be a grand time."

All swimming dogs will need to have a current proof of vaccination card, including rabies, parvo and distemper.

"Please retrieve this information from your veterinarian prior to the event, no entrance will be allowed in the pool unless proof is provided¯ the release added. "The price per dog is $10 and we are excited to bring this fun event to Chinook once again."

Leashes are mandatory when dogs are not in the pool. Only one dog per adult is allowed and each dog must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Dog parents (humans) are not allowed to swim in the pool with the animals, the only exception is to assist a dog if he/she is struggling. A lifeguard will be on-hand at the event as well.

Fecal removal is required of the dog owner and bags will be provided on-site. All dog parents must sign a liability form before their dog can enter the pool. The funds raised will go toward the Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation's mission to rehabilitate the Chinook Pool and Park.

Tennis balls will be provided for the dogs to play with in the pool, so please do not bring your own toys.

Again this year, the Chinook Lion's Club will be selling their infamous Pronto Pups at the Drool in the Pool.

"The Lion's Club are fundraising for the new skatepark and we encourage everyone to come down and have a Pronto Pup and support this amazing project," the release said., adding, "There will also be a Root Beer Float Bar, so come by and grab yourself an end-of-summer treat and support the Chinook Pool and Park Project."

"We will also have Facepainting this year as well as a Dog Agility Course," the release said. "This fun course will be set up so your dogs can jump over hurdles, run through a tunnel, weave through poles and more."

PAWS of Chinook will also be doing Free-Will Microchipping during the event. This is an easy way to prevent the loss of a dog should they be astray. Microchipping is similar to a simple vaccination, the microchip won't cause the dog pain or discomfort at all - in fact, they probably won't even know it's there! People are urged to be sure to come by and visit with the folks at PAWS at the event.

"One of the most needed items for PAWS is dog food, the release said. "This year we are hosting a Dog Food Drive to help relieve some of the stress of finding funding for Food for the PAWS dogs. If you would like to donate Dog Food, simply bring it to this event and PAWS will have a trailer there to put your donation of dog food, in. Brickcents will also be there with their Lego Dogs that are being sold as a fundraiser for PAWS."

People are invited to reach out to the Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation with any questions they may have via email at [email protected].

"Thank you for your support of the Friends of the Pool and Park Foundations mission to fix our aging Pool and Park facilities," the release said. "We are excited to bring this fun-filled event to Chinook again this year."

Class of 1960

Friends of the Pool and Park also received some major help during this year's all-class reunion.

The Chinook High School Class of 1960 donated more than $1300 of funds that they had raised over the years to the Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation for improvements to the Chinook Pool and Park. The Friends of the Pool said they would like to extend their sincere thanks to all the members of the Class of 1960 for their contribution to the community of Chinook.

Schellin family match raises more than $330K for pool and park

Early in January of 2024, the Schellin Family approached the Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation to see if they could help fundraise for the Chinook Pool and Park Project. Just prior to that, the organization had learned the devastating news that they were not the recipients of a very large grant that they had applied for.

The kindness that the Schellin family had shown the organization was a breath of fresh air for the group and they are so grateful for their willingness to put forth a challenge to match $100,000 that the Schellin's collectively agreed to donate toward the project.

Not only did they help initiate the matching funds from donations from near and far, but the amount raised went beyond the match amount, giving the foundation a boost of over $332,000! Not every member of the Schellin Family was able to attend the All Class Reunion in July, but the photo above shows a large gathering of the Schellin family.

"The Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation are beyond grateful for their amazing support, and they would like to say a huge thank you to the family for everything they have done to help the project and to all of the matching donors to the Schellin Family Match," the Friends said. "As the saying goes, there are 'dear hearts and gentle people' from Chinook, and this has never been more evident."