by Justin Vick



MOORESVILLE – Daniel Schmitz wasn’t intimidated by Pine Lake Preparatory’s home-field advantage.

Schmitz, Lincoln Charter School’s assistant athletics director, walked into Mazeppa Road Park on Friday, March 16, carrying the trophy his school earned last year at the inaugural Paws at the Park.

The event pits Lincoln Charter against Pine Lake Prep in baseball, softball, soccer and even a faculty baseball game. But bragging rights and the roving trophy go to the school that collected the most pounds of pet food. The trophy returned to Lincoln Charter on Friday.



Both schools collected 1,055 pounds of dry food, said Andrew Moceri, Pine Lake Prep’s middle school athletics director. That’s not counting blankets, detergent and canned food donated by spectators. The event also generated $100 in cash.

Donations went to the Great Dane Rescue of the Carolinas, a Huntersville nonprofit that finds homes for abandoned dogs. The nonprofit fields about 10 to 15 calls a week throughout the Carolinas.

Operating the nonprofit during a recession helps director Lisa Reid better appreciate Friday’s donations. Her rescue is run by volunteers and funded by donors.

“We’re having to work harder, but it hasn’t kept us from taking care of the animals,” Reid said.

The group also rescues other dog breeds to prevent them from being euthanized at high-kill shelters.

“It’s a sanctuary for some,” volunteer Stacy Harris said. “It takes a special heart to adopt some of them. There’s a lot of dogs that will probably never find a home, but they have a home with the rescue.”

Playing at Mazeppa Road Park allowed teams to play simultaneously in front of larger crowds and generate more donations for a worthy cause, Moceri said.

“We have a terrific relationship with Lincoln Charter,” said Amy Sevic, middle school principal at Pine Lake Prep. “We have similar schools, similar enrollment numbers and good competition.”

For more information

The Great Dane Rescue of the Carolinas can be reached at 704-697-9706 or www.greatdanerescue.org. The rescue is at 10425 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road, Huntersville. Visitation is by appointment early.