Animal Shelter Fundraisers Grossing More than $10,000

by Jonathan Weaver

In just about six weeks, Ruth Curry and other volunteers organized an April 2 fundraiser at the Pattonville VFW – where Orphans of the Storm raised nearly $9,270.

“They had depleted the HOPE fund – which goes toward the veterinary care of animals that are brought into the shelter,” Curry said.

Curry – owner of a German Shepherd named ‘Gizmo’ that she rescued with the help of Orphans of the Storm – was aided in her effort by Brenda Frerotte, Jennifer Hrabovsky, Jason Capone and Anna Rodkey, as well as officers at the VFW.

“We’ve done fundraisers a couple years for (the animal shelter). When they called and asked if we can at least get the VFW scheduled for them and things like that, I contacted the volunteers who help me and we put something together real quick,” Curry said. “It turned out to be really successful.”

“The shelter has a place in a lot of people’s hearts.”

During the fundraisers, organizers raffled off 67 baskets and other items, such as a necklace, purse, and four Pittsburgh Pirates baseball tickets, as well as coordinated a cash bash.

Also, during a special fundraiser, volunteers were ‘arrested’ by police officer Frank Pitzer and ‘incarcerated’ in one of the large Orphans of the Storm kennels until they raised money. Curry recognized Capone’s twin daughters, Jaysa and Shaylee for raising $400 and Happy Trails groomer Rosie Southworth for raising more than $1,000.

Assistant Manager Bethann Galbraith said the money raised April 2 was “beyond what I thought would happen in that short time.”

Curry will be selling ‘Month of May’ tickets that allow residents to win money based on the daily lottery numbers at 9AM Saturday morning at Tractor Supply.

“Once we sell 1,000 tickets, we’re giving half of (the proceeds) away to the daily winners and the shelter will get another $2,500,” Curry said.

Tickets are also available at the Rayburn Township animal shelter.