ROCKPORT – On Saturday, May 30 Stone Coast CrossFit will host its 2nd annual Barbells for Beacon, a fundraising workout to aid shelter animals in need of surgery at P.A.W.S.

Barbells for Beacon was first organized by the members of Stone Coast CrossFit when they learned that Beacon, the beloved dog of the gym owners, Nick Brown and Lily Hamill, had bilateral hip dysplasia and was going to need an expensive surgery. After the event surpassed its fundraising goal, Nick and Lily decided to continue the cycle of good karma by using the excess funds raised to establish The Beacon Fund to aid shelter animals in need of surgery. Already, the fund has changed the life of one lucky 10-year-old black lab named Dakota.

When Dakota came to P.A.W.S. in January she had very limited mobility and pain due to a previous injury to her right back leg. The vets concluded her quality of life would increase substantially if the leg was amputated. Thanks to the Beacon Fund P.A.W.S. was able to cover Dakota’s surgery and follow up care. Now Dakota can run, play and wag her tail with the energy one might expect from a happy lab. Soon after her surgery Dakota was given a second gift, a forever-home with a family that loves her dearly.

The second annual Barbells for Beacon event will be held on Saturday, May 30th, beginning at 10 a.m. at Stone Coast CrossFits gym at 321 Commercial Street in Rockport. There will be a suggested donation of $15 to help reach the goal of raising $2,000 for The Beacon Fund. Families, animal lovers and athletes of all abilities are invited to attend and participate in the workout or cheer on the athletes.

The lead event sponsor, Pen Bay Healthcare, has issued a 5,000 Squat Challenge for attendees to earn up to $500 for the fundraiser. A station will be set up at the event where participants will take turns squatting. Participants will earn 10 cents for P.A.W.S. for each squat completed. Event sponsors Fox on the Run Food Truck and Moonshine Herbals will be on site. Fox on the Run will have fresh and local foods for purchase and Moonshine Herbals will be selling their line of local, handmade personal care products. Event t-shirts are available for sale now at Stone Coast CrossFit.

Updates about the event will be available on Stone Coast CrossFit’s page on Facebook and at www.Pawsadoption.org. For more information about The Beacon Fund and P.A.W.S. visit the adoption center at 146 Camden Street in Rockport or call 207-236-8702.