Fund helps cancer patients

By Stephanie Koons

Bob Perks, a native of State College and a four-year member of the Penn State baseball team, was committed to bringing cancer support to the local community.

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He remained active in Coaches vs. Cancer, of which he was a founding member, until his own battle with skin cancer prevented him from doing so. Since his death in 2005 at age 42, his widow, Doreen, has continued his legacy through the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund.

The fourth annual assistance fund Tailgate Party will begin at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the University Club, 331 W. College Ave., State College. The event will feature the Penn State vs. Michigan game on five big-screen TVs, tailgate food, an open bar and a silent auction. All proceeds will go back to the local community.

The Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund is a nonprofit organization that provides financial support for individuals with cancer who cannot afford to make ends meet. It provides basic necessities such as rent assistance, utilities, food and gas to cancer patients who provide a doctor’s referral. Last year, the organization allocated more than $65,000 to patients in Centre and surrounding counties.

Some cancer patients make too much money to qualify for government medical assistance, Doreen Perks said, and many people lose their incomes because they can’t continue to work.

“Suddenly they can’t put food on the table and they don’t have heat in the house,” she said. Admission to the tailgate party is $65 at the door. For more information, visit www.bpcaf.org.

Learn about pit bulls

Kim Geiger, founder of Happy Paws Happy Homes, would like to set the record straight about one of the most maligned domestic animals in the country.

“Pit bulls are awesome,” she said.

Happy Paws Happy Homes, based in Lewistown, is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that serves as a liaison between rescues, shelters, the public and dogs. The organization will celebrate Pit Bull Awareness Day from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the gazebo in front of Petco, 40 Colonnade Way, State College.

“We just want to give people the opportunity to meet the average pit bull,” Geiger said.

At the event, there will be two pit bulls that are “good representatives of the breed,” Geiger said. There will also be activities such as face painting, an educational video, a “Spot the Pit Bull” game and an array of dog-related items, T-shirts and car magnets.

Although pit bulls “get a lot of bad press,” Geiger said, there are many stories about pit bulls saving families from fires, burglars and venomous snakes. Unfortunately, she added, the pit bull has become the breed of choice for the “thug underculture,” which exploits the dogs’ people-pleasing natures to turn them into vicious animals.

Happy Paws Happy Homes also shows dogs at Petco from noon to 3 p.m. on the last Sunday of every month.

For more information, call Geiger at 360-7383 or visit www.happypawshappyhomes.org.

Stephanie Koons writes a weekly column featuring news and happenings in the Centre Region. Send comments and suggestions to her at skoons@centredaily.com.