ANDERSONVILLE — More than 10 Andersonville businesses are teaming up to share some puppy love this Valentine's Day.
Through Feb. 13, Andersonville businesses will be selling raffle tickets to raise funds for SitStayRead, a "not-for-profit that brings dogs into Chicago classrooms to help struggling young readers develop critical early literacy skills."
Businesses selling the tickets include: Women & Children First, Jameson Loves Danger, Presence, Murray & White, Spex, Room Service, Foursided, Mercantile M, In Fine Spirits, Sparkles Fine Jewelry and Re:Chiropractic, according to a press release for the raffle.
Each of the three baskets available in the raffle includes about $1,250 worth of merchandise and gift certificates from the neighborhood. Tickets are $5 each of five for $20. The raffle will take place on Valentine's Day at noon, the release said.
On Feb. 13, the neighborhood is invited to hang out with some of the pups and learn about the programs. All of the locations are not set, but the three dog teams will appear at Murray & White, at 5416 N. Clark St., Room Service, at 5438 N. Clark St., Vignette Vignette, at 5407 N. Clark St., Foursided, at 5061 N. Clark St., and Jameson Loves Danger, at 5208 N. Clark St., from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., a spokeswoman for the event said.
SitStayRead, at 2849 N. Clark St., was founded in 2003 with a mission "to improve literacy skills in Chicago's low-income neighborhoods." The program teams literacy volunteers and reading-assistance dogs to improve childhood literacy, the group said.
"Reading to a dog increases confidence and generates excitement about reading," according to the group's website.
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