Annual Benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Has Raised Nearly $3 Million to Date
New York, NY — The American Kennel Club (AKC®) announced today that it will sanction the renowned Decatur County – St. Jude World’s Largest Coon Hunt. The event, which has been raising funds for the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital for three decades, will be held on April 13, 14, and 15, 2006 at the Decatur County Fairgrounds in Parsons, Tennessee.
“We are extremely thankful to the hardworking folks at the Decatur County — World’s Largest Coon Hunt for the opportunity to be a part of the great work they do for the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” said Steve Fielder, AKC’s Director of Coonhound Events. “We urge the coon hunting community nationwide to join in this important fund raising effort — helping find cures for the terminal illnesses that threaten the lives of the children of St. Jude.”
Held annually by the Decatur County – St. Jude World’s Largest Coon Hunt Inc., an organization run solely by volunteers, the event has raised over $2.8 million since it began in 1976. One-hundred percent of all proceeds from the event are donated to the hospital. Last year, the Decatur County World’s Largest Coon Hunt raised more than $180,000. The three day event is held on the second full weekend in April and runs Thursday through Sunday.
“We hope that AKC sanctioning will help raise the profile of this important and unique event even further,” added Fielder. “As always, the goal remains to raise the most money possible for the children of St. Jude and I sincerely hope that the AKC can assist the volunteers in making it the most successful year ever. We have the opportunity to hit the $3 million mark this year and the AKC is proud to be part of it.”