Community News

     Three Oswego residents have come together in an effort to feel better and get healthier for a good cause – a 2 ½-pound teacup Yorkie terrier named Hanna. Hanna is a rescue dog who is desperately in need of approximately $500 of oral surgery.

     To raise the needed funds, Victoria Usherwood Gailinas, Gabby Peña and Kyle Cheeley have challenged each other to a weight loss contest for Hanna's Rescue Fund.
     Cheeley, property manager of King Arthur's Suites and the property at 7 W. Bridge St., decided to challenge Gailinas, who is currently housing the rescued animal, to the competition.
     "I needed to lose the weight for health reasons, but needed more motivation," Cheeley said. "When I found out about Hanna, she was just the motivation I was looking for."
     Gailinas, the marketing director and co-founder of I Heart Oswego, said she has been a member of Granite State Sheltie Rescue (GSSR) for many years and was happy to accept the challenge.
     "Hanna came to me through an I Heart Oswego follower," she said. "She contacted me through our Facebook page for something else, but as we talked I found out about Hanna."
     Gailinas said the woman was given Hanna by a friend who was no longer able to care for her.
     "But she already had three dogs, two cats and a Guinea pig herself," she said. "When she found out I was involved in animal rescue, she asked me if I would take Hanna. Of course, I said yes."
     Gailinas explained because Hanna needs immediate surgery, arrangements have been made through Granite State Sheltie Rescue for them to cover the cost of the surgery up front. However, because she is not the breed the organization is dedicated to saving, it will need to be paid back.
     "Any overages from the weight-loss competition will be used to create a local Oswego fund for rescue dogs in extreme need," Gailinas said.
When Gabby Peña of the I Heart Oswego web development team heard about Hanna and the competition, she asked to be part of the contest.
     The three were officially weighed in Monday, July 22, and will be soliciting sponsors throughout the month of August. The competition, which will take place from now until Nov. 25, will have prizes awarded in two categories: most pounds lost and / or most funds raised. Sponsors can sign up to pay per pound lost or a flat rate for the entire competition.
     All three weight-loss hopefuls have formulated slightly different strategies to weight-loss success.
     "I am doing the Atkins diet," Cheeley said. "I will be cutting out carbs and sugar entirely and eating only eggs, salad, meat and vegetables." He said he also plans to fast walk four miles every day.
     Gailinas will be calorie counting and adding exercise into the mix a few weeks down the road. Peña said she will also be counting her calories, but said she is already getting her exercise.
     "I skate through Oz Roller Derby for three hours twice a week," she said. "I also walk everywhere." Peña said she has already started doing her calorie research and was shocked to find out how high the calorie counts were of many of the items she eats on a regular basis.
     "So I will be including portion control as well," she added.
     Anyone wishing to donate to Hanna's Rescue Fund can send donations to I Heart Corp., 7 W. Bridge St., Oswego NY 13126. Checks may be made out to GSSR.