Paws for the Powerless was founded in memory of Blake Schwarz, whose legacy continues to inspire a mission to advance mental health awareness and support. The organization combines compassion for people with a love for dogs, providing trained therapy dogs at no cost to those who need them most. Their focus includes first responders, individuals facing mental health challenges, and professionals who serve the public, such as counselors.
As the organization celebrates its first year, it is doing so in a big way with its inaugural Paws N’ Pearls Fundraiser. The event is set to take place at the McCormick Event Center on Friday, March 27th, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Designed as a formal evening, the fundraiser invites the community to dress up and enjoy a night out while supporting a meaningful cause.
Guests can expect a full evening of entertainment and engagement, including hors d’oeuvres, a cocktail hour, a live DJ, and both silent and live auctions. One of the most anticipated highlights of the night is the dessert dash, an interactive and competitive activity where tables contribute funds for the chance to select desserts in order of their contributions. The event will also feature a keynote presentation from Haley Degreve, founder of Gray Matters Collective, who will share her own journey and insights into mental health advocacy.
Beyond the celebration, the fundraiser serves a critical purpose. Training and providing therapy dogs is a costly and time-intensive process, and the demand for these services continues to grow. Paws for the Powerless is currently facing a need for more resources to meet the increasing number of individuals seeking support. Funds raised from the Paws N’ Pearls Fundraiser will go directly toward veterinary care, training, adoption, and the overall expansion of their therapy dog program.
The goal is simple but powerful: to place more therapy dogs into the hands of those who need them and to continue building a network of support throughout the community.
For those interested in attending the event or learning more, information can be found on the organization’s Facebook page and official website, pawsforthepowerless.com, under Paws for the Powerless.
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