MARYSVILLE — Saturday, May 19, will provide the community with plenty of opportunities to come together on behalf of pooches and those coping with cancer.

To support the 2012 Marysville/Tulalip Relay For Life on June 9-10 that’s helping to fund the American Cancer Society, the Asbery Field track next to Totem Middle School will host its second annual “Bark For Life” event that Saturday from from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Bark For Life seeks to celebrate the role of canines as caregivers for those battling cancer, and event organizers will also be collecting canned food donations on site for charity.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring has proclaimed Friday, May 18, through Sunday, May 20, as “Paint the Town Purple Days” for the city, to further highlight Relay For Life.

Local Relay For Life teams plan to take to the streets that weekend, with events on State Avenue between Fourth and Grove streets set to include car washes, bake sales, craft booths and various other opportunities to “fill the bucket” for the American Cancer Society. Businesses interested in decorating their storefronts and windows with posters, balloons and the Relay For Life’s signature purple should email jodonna.msvlrelay@gmail.com.

That same day, the Marysville Dog Owners Group will be organizing volunteers into a special work party at the Strawberry Fields For Rover Off-Leash Park, starting at noon.

The afternoon’s tasks are expected to include assisting Boy Scout Rich Beckett in installing a new bridge over the stone river rock bed in the park for his Eagle Scout project, as well as repainting the M-DOG maintenance building, spreading wood chips and conducting other basic maintenance. Free food and refreshments will be provided.

It’s okay to bring your own dogs to the cleanup with you, and the park will be open while the work is being performed. To RSVP for the work party or for more details, call 360-651-0633 or email dgbuell@frontier.com.