Special to the Sentinel
OCEAN CITY – Fifteen years ago, longtime summer resident JoAnn Burns set out on a mission. Her dear friend, Mary Ann Nolan, had just launched Waggies by Maggie and Friends, a nonprofit organization formed in Wilmington, Del., that makes dog treats. Waggies employs people with intellectual disabilities and empowers them to be productive contributors in their community, including by making the treats.
Burns supported the Waggies mission and wondered how she could extend Waggies’ reach to Ocean City. She began visiting local businesses with a self-service station made of a small beach bucket filled with individually packaged Waggies dog treats and a collection cup. The treats were a hit. The dogs love them and their owners love that they are made with fresh ingredients and no preservatives.
The “bones” are made by a team of bakers with intellectual disabilities. Burns visited about 10 businesses each summer for the last 15 years, regularly refreshing the dog treats and collecting the funds.
“I am most grateful to all the business owners in Ocean City that support Waggies’ mission,” she said. “The owners are welcoming and we value the special friendships over the years.”
A few months ago, Burns decided to retire from her volunteer role. Wanting the sales distribution network to continue, she said, “Wouldn’t it be great to have a person with differing abilities to take over this part of Waggies in Ocean City?” Lisa O’Hara, manager of Uncle Bill’s Pancake House at 40th street and West Avenue, knew just the right person.
Sara Davis, who has Down’s syndrome, has been employed by Uncle Bill’s Pancake House for 5 years. She is all in with her role as the sales ambassador for Waggies. She enjoys getting out in the community visiting all the businesses in Ocean City. She has sharpened her skills logging in sales, tracking inventory, sending out invoices, and counting money while supervised by her mother, Susan Davis. Sara is proud of adding Reed’s Farm to the list of businesses carrying the treats.
Although Burns was saddened to retire from her volunteer post, she is thrilled knowing that Davis will continue to service the stations regularly. Burns’s dedication and volunteer service to Waggies by Maggie and Friends was recognized by the treat’s board at a recent event. Davis is a full-time resident of Ocean City, so the beach buckets will be filled all year long.
Waggies are $1 for a package of two. Bags of bones are offered by Reed’s Farm.
Find Waggies at Bennies Market, 12th Street; Boyar’s Market, 14th Street and Asbury Avenue; Johnson’s Popcorn, 14th and Boardwalk; Kessel’s Korner, 28th Street; Ready’s, Eighth Street; Reed’s Farm, Egg Harbor Township; Uncle Bill’s Pancake House, 21st Street; Uncle Bill’s Pancake House, 40th Street; Varsity Inn, Eighth Street; and Village Kitchen in Wayside Village, Marmora.
