Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.

The Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Top Dog fundraising contest kicks off November 4 and runs through November 18 and anyone can submit a cute photo of their pet beginning November 4.

Participants will vote for the cutest and/or coolest dog and the winner will be the dog with the most votes. Beginning November 4, dog owners can go to the contest website at wwtopdog.net (see QR code below) and donate $5 to enter a photo of their dog (showing the dog only-no humans) to enter the contest. After registration, contestants will encourage their friends and family to vote for their canine companion (votes are just $1 each). Contestants can also vote multiple times. At the end of the contest, the top eight dogs with the most votes will have the choice of some great prizes.

Many thanks to First Citizens State Bank for being the major sponsor of this event.  Thanks, also, to the following sponsors for contributing prizes:  Second Salem Brewing, HSI Rentals, Shadow Dog Photography, Whitewater Veterinary Hospital, Whitewater Pet Supplies Plus, Whitewater Animal Medical Center and Studio 84.

Following is a list of the current prizes and additional sponsors:

Grand Prize

Second Salem Brewing Company, working with the winner, will craft an exclusive springtime brew featuring a portrait of the victorious pup on its label. The winner’s owner/guardian will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with their Brewmaster on the label’s design and the beer’s moniker.

Additional Prizes and sponsors are as follows:

• $500 Cash prize
• A winter weekend retreat provided by HSI Rentals at their Lake Alice Airbnb
• Shadow Dog Photography is providing a portrait experience – $800 value
• Whitewater Veterinary Hospital will provide a free annual exam, vaccinations, heartworm test and fecal test – value $300
• Whitewater Pet Supplies Plus will provide a gift basket for your “top dog.”
• Whitewater Animal Medical Center will provide a gift basket of prizes for your “top dog.”
• Studio 84 in Whitewater will provide an artist’s rendition of your special dog.

Rick Halvorson, Kiwanian and Chair of the Top Dog contest, said, “As a retired vet, I am very enthusiastic about this program that combines our love of our pets with our love of community and helping the children of Whitewater and the world.”

This fun contest will support youth activities in our Whitewater community. If you have an interest in helping youth in Whitewater, you can check out Whitewater Kiwanis on Facebook and join our Club by contacting Patrick Taylor at Petaylor.law@gmail.com.

Whitewater Kiwanis is a group of dedicated volunteers who help both children of the Whitewater community and the world, all with 100% of funds raised going directly to youth projects and zero to administrative costs. Over the past five years the club raised funds to make possible the recent installation of the city’s first piece of inclusive playground equipment, a We-Go-Round, in Starin Park.  Annual donations are also made to provide shoes and winter clothes for students, as well as support for organizations such as the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, The Community Space, and the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.