Megan MacF arland, a Lower Providence resident and junior at James Madison University, has organized a 5K run in honor of her older brother Marc Small, who was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan.

The run/walk, to be held in conjunction with the township, will begin and end at the Lower Providence Township Building, 30 Parklane Drive, Eagleville, on Saturday, Aug. 1. Early check-in will be Friday, July 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the pavilion near the playground. Race day check-in will begin at 7:30 a.m., with the race commencing at 8:30 a.m.

Marc Small was a Special Forces Medic serving with the U.S. Army when he was killed. He had only been in Afghanistan for three weeks, but during that time he built a relationship with the local people and children. Megan notes that “His unexpected passing has been a tragedy to our family, but we know he would have wanted us to continue his memory in positive aspects.”

This run, which the family hopes to hold annaully on the Saturday closest to Marc's birthday in August, is an opportunity for the community to honor the sacrifice of this fine young man, as well as to support a cause he believed in, the “Small Steps in Speech” foundation.

Small Steps in Speech was created by Marc’s fiancée Amanda Charney to assist children with communication disorders.

Many community organizations and businesses have pledged their support with cash and in kind donations including The Lenfest Group, The McNett Family, Globus Medical, Independence Blue Cross, J.P. Mascaro & Sons, O’Neill Properties, Streamlight, Clean as a Whistle, Lower Providence Police Association, Brandywine Realty and Robert E. Lamb, along with more than 30 local donors of prizes and refreshments.

Entertainment at the event will be provided by the band Sudden Regression.

Registration forms may be found at www.lowerprovidence.org. The registration can be completed online or mailed and race day registration is possible, beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Almost 300 runners have already registered.

The registration fee is $25, which includes an accurate, measured 5K course through the Lower Providence Park and township, a water stop on course, refreshments and entertainment at finish.

Prizes will be awarded to the top two men and women in eight separate age categories. Those who preregister will receive a T-shirt of which there is a limited supply.

For additional information, to donate refreshments or prizes, or to be a sponsor of “On Your Marc” contact Megan MacFarland, 610-416-9898 or onyourmarc8@yahoo.com

For additional information on Small Steps in Speech, visit www.smallstepsinspeech.com

NORRISTOWN — A Montgomery County family's dog rescue efforts have gained them the chance to win $5,000 worth of pet food for the organization that united them with their newest family member.

Buddy, a Lhasa Apso dog from upstate New York, was suffering and the family who owned him couldn't afford the care. They gave him to the American Lhasa Apso Club which united him with Ellen and Walt Pfender of Norristown.

Buddy was severly malnutritioned, his front legs were malformed and he had urethral stones, as if that weren't enough, while the Pfenders were caring for him, they noticed he was in pain and took him to the veterinarian only to learn he had a spinal disc infection. Buddy was immediately rushed to the veterinary hospital of the University of Pennsylvania where he underwent disc surgery after suffering paralysis of his hind legs.

Buddy is recovering and happy again, and his story is one of 10 that were chosen by Purina to compete for the title of the Doing More for Pets Ambassador, a competition that is part of Purina's Rally to Rescue initiative to find permanent homes for 300,000 abandoned or abused pets and to bring attention to small rescue organizations and shelters that are often overlooked and in need of funds.

The winner of the Doing More Ambassador contest, which is going on now, will receive a free trip to the American Kennel Club's National Dog Show in Philadelphia this November. In addition, the pet rescue organization that assisted the winning dog or cat will receive $5,000 worth of coupons for pet food from Purina.

Votes can be made now through Oct. 30 at www.rallytorescue.org, click on Events, then click on "Doing More for Pets" contest to view videos and a brief written history of each competitor.

Buddy was the only Pennsylvania pet to be chosen from more than 120 competitors for the final round of judging which will be made by a judging board in addition to online votes.

Purina is also visiting different sites throughout the continental U.S. to promote pet adoption, including the annual Boyertown YMCA Tomato Blast on Aug. 22 where Wiener Dog Races will be held. The Rally to Rescue van brings pet tips and information and also supports local pet rescue organizations who come out to find homes for their pets in need.

To learn more about Rally to Rescue, visit www.rallytorescue.org.

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The Bandana Blues Festival, the bastion of blues and BBQ in the Boyertown area, is in need of some help. Since the closure of Hickory Park Campground for a sewage issue, the festival is in need of a location.

On its Web site, http://www.bandanablues.com, an appeal has been posted asking for a picnic grove or campground in the area that would be able to host the festival. Anyone with a site that's readily available can contact thebeardo@gmail.com.

The festival would have been in its 19th year if it had gone forward. It was usually held around the end of July or the beginning of August.