By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Dixie Flyers, an Alabama-based canine flyball club, will host a tournament on Sept. 8-9 at the Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center.

The organization will be raising funds for the Clanton Police Department K-9 units at the tournament.

“We always do some type of fundraiser at each of our events, either for a human society or a rescue group,” club owner Jeanne Harem said. “This time in honor of one of dogs that has just passed away … we are going to do something for the Clanton Police Department to help out their canines.”

Harem said a need for the department is for medication designed to save a canine’s life in the event of a possible overdose from sniffing for drugs. She hopes they raise at least $500.

She said CPD also has an officer with their dog at the five Dixie Flyer events in Clanton each year.

“The dog we are doing this for was a German Shepherd, so we just thought It would be good for Meika’s memory,” Harem said.

Meika was five years old and died from cancer.

Donations will be accepted for a chance at winning a handmade quilt or gift basket.

The tournament is free to attend to watch and learn about the sport.

“Flyball is four dogs running over jumps to a box,” Harem said.

There will be 21 out of town teams attending the event.

“We would love for people to come watch it,” Harem said.

The tournament will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Harem said Dixie Flyers has been an organization for nine years, but she has been playing flyball for 15.

For more information, visit the Dixie Flyers Flyball Facebook page.