It’s not the typical story about a girl and her rescue dog. There’s a dash of community with a big sprinkle of heart.
Twelve-year-old Kaylynn Kolinek, a Lake Pointe resident and Lake Travis ISD student, had been asking her parents for a family dog for years. She’s always a had a big heart for animals. As Kaylynn’s mom Traci explains, “It’s as if she feels their emotions.”
The Kolinek family happens to be friends with another Lake Travis family who fosters dogs, the McClanahans. Lisa McClanahan usually has at least four dogs in her home and has fostered over 150. (If you’re friends with Lisa on Facebook, you know her dedication to saving animals is just in her DNA.)
Over the years, when Kaylynn spent time at Lisa’s house, she always bonded with the dogs, so when the Kolineks decided it was time to find a new four-legged family member, they called Lisa for help.
Enter Bubbles.
Bubbles and a pack of dogs were rescued by Addicus Legacy Dog Rescue. Lisa, the rescue dog guru, thought Bubbles would be an excellent fit for Kaylynn, so one day she stopped by and introduced the two. Bubbles never left Kaylynn’s house. It was a love connection. Bubbles had found a new home and a new best friend.
While Kaylynn’s family helps cover the costs of caring for Bubbles — as every pet owner knows, it can add up — Kaylynn fully understands the responsibilities, including the financial component, of pet ownership. She also recognizes the value of saving animals, and that’s what triggered her idea to start a fundraiser for Addicus Legacy Dog Rescue.
Kaylynn’s all heart
You could say Kaylynn’s “ah-ha” moment was when she found a loose dog in her neighborhood. He was neglected, dirty and had a bad eye. He was not chipped, so Kaylynn brought him home. They fed him and bathed him. It was a transformation. And more importantly, this puppy needed a home.
Kaylynn and Traci reached out to Lisa and other friends to start helping him find one. That’s when Kaylynn decided she wanted to support Addicus financially, so she could help save more dogs.
Kaylynn came up with the idea of holding an Easter event and silent auction. She created a flyer and personally went to multiple businesses to ask for donations and support. Kaylynn speaks to managers of the stores and follows up. She has hung flyers, made phone calls, sent emails and filled the easter eggs for the event. She tells her parents what needs to be purchased or ordered and keeps the event details organized.
Drum roll, please…
You are invited to Kaylynn’s fundraiser to support Addicus Legacy Dog Rescue. It will be held on April 6th from 2:30pm – 5:30pm at the Lake Pointe Clubhouse. The cost is $5 per wristband. This event offers fun for all ages – the young and the young at heart:
- Egg Hunts with Golden Eggs (two hunts for two age groups)
- Egg coloring contest
- Fun Entertainment for Kids with a DJ & Dancer
- Silent Auction Items (Bidding ends at 5pm)
- Cafe Blue, Starbucks, H&M, Amy’s Ice Cream, All Star Burger, High 5, Gift Baskets, Raising Canes, Dicks Sporting Goods, GiGi’s Cupcakes & more
- Big Kids Hunt Ages: 3rd grade to 6th grade (starts at 3:00pm)
- Little Kids Hunt Ages: Preschool to 2nd grade (starts at 4:30pm)
Do you have an inspiring rescue pet story? Share it with us on our Facebook page.
