Q&A: Jennifer Harrington of Ad Lab, Paws Pantry Shares Why She Connects With the Community

Jennifer Harrington walked away from the annual Chamber Awards Dinner this past week with a Chamber Appreciation Award.

Harrington, organizer of the "Holiday Paws Pantry" and owner of the graphic design studio The Ad Lab, talked with North Canton Patch about her continuing involvement in the community and shares a little more about herself in a Patch Q&A.

For instance, did you know why North Canton was chosen for the site of the annual pet food drive, or that Harrington was the official New Year's Baby in her hometown back when?

Read more below.

North Canton Patch: Tell me a little about yourself — maybe how you found yourself running The Ad Lab, and what that is?


Jennifer Harrington: The Ad Lab is my graphic design/marketing studio — the name is supposed to represent both my love for advertising and more importantly, my Labrador Retrievers. They are really the heart and soul of the operation and my semi-silent partners. I was lucky enough to learn the ropes from some of the best people in the advertising community. After doing so for close to 10 years, I decided to go out on my own and work for myself.

North Canton Patch: What's the coolest part of your job?


Harrington: The coolest part of my job is the freedom which working from home can provide. There are occasionally evenings or weekends when I am “in the office” but since that office allows me to throw a load of laundry in the machine, snuggle with the furry employees and work in my PJ’s…well, it makes it all worthwhile, and pretty cool.

North Canton Patch: I think the North Canton community probably associates you most with the Holiday Paws Pantry. Where did you get the idea for that, and why did you think North Canton would be a good place to start it?


Harrington: Unfortunately the need for pet food banks and programs like the Holiday Paws Pantry are needed in many areas. North Canton has such an overwhelmingly supportive business community, it only made sense to try it here. The idea was brought to life with my good friend, and then outreach manager at the North Canton Chamber, Christina Weyrick-Cooper. Together, we involved the area businesses as drop-off points for donations and distributed dog and cat food to families throughout Stark County in time for Christmas.

North Canton Patch: Since we're on the topic of the North Canton community, what is it about this place that keeps you sticking around?


Harrington: That’s easy — it’s the people. I am constantly impressed by the wealth of spirit and generosity shown by the people in this area. People who genuinely care and want to make a difference in their community. It’s infectious, and I’m grateful to have so many amazing people around me.

North Canton Patch: Anything our readers would be surprised to know about you or what you do?

Harrington: That’s a tough one. Maybe the fact that I’m not originally from this area? I was born and raised in Weirton, WV — which is a small steel town near Pittsburgh. I moved here after college. And in that town, a long, long time ago, I was the official New Year’s baby born at 12:01 for that year — I had a crown and everything!

Think your business or organization deserves to be featured in a Q&A on North Canton Patch? Email Editor Morgan Day at Morgan.Day@patch.com with a brief explanation of why, and you might be featured in an upcoming Q&A.