A very special dog led two Pullman residents to start a fundraiser that is now in its 16th year.

Ron Morgan, retail sales manager at Pullman Building Supply, said he and his wife, Heather Morgan, decided to start the Benefit Bowling Tournament for the Whitman County Humane Society because they wanted to honor their dog Lucy.

“We thought that every house should have a dog like Lucy and every dog like Lucy should have a loving home,” Heather said. “We really wanted to do something for those homeless animals.”

The couple donated all proceeds to WCHS during the first year of the event, Ron said. They are now also partnered with NW Cancer Foundation of Hope and are splitting the money between the two charities.

“Our little motto is we do it because we love animals and we hate cancer,” Ron said, “and that’s kind of taken off.”

Heather said they have raised over $125,000 in the last 15 years of doing the event.

The cost to enter the tournament is $50 for each two-person team. Individuals can also enter the tournament and be placed on a team when they arrive, Ron said.

In past years they have had up to 90 teams at the event, Ron said. They hope to have at least 70 this year.

There will be both a live and silent auction and door prizes for participants.

Ron said some of the items include experience packages and a signed and framed Manning Passing Academy shirt.

WCHS will be bringing dogs to the event and Ron said they will likely get adopted by participants.

The Benefit Bowling Tournament starts at 11 a.m. Saturday at Zeppoz. Zeppoz is located at 780 Bishop Blvd. in Pullman.