Animal shelter draw-down to be held next Saturday
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
The Coosa County Animal Shelter has come a long way, and now it appears that the shelter will indeed become a reality for the county.
Following commitments made and action taken at recent government body meetings, the shelter’s Board of Directors is excited to announce that it has met its initial fundraising goal. That goal was to get the shelter started and operating and for two years of operating expenses.
With the first goal met, Dennis Hill, chair and operations manager of the shelter, said that any funds exceeding the initial fundraising amount will be put toward future operating costs and possibly to fund more spay and neuter procedures.
Regarding governmental bodies, the Town of Kellyton led the way in donations, with Mayor Johnny Sharpe and the Kellyton Town Council being the first such agency to approve a $5,000 donation to the shelter.
With the County Commission planning to donate between $30,000 and $50,000 in total to the shelter at next month’s meeting, Goodwater Town Council committing to approve a $5,000 donation at next month’s meeting and Rockford Town Council approving a $5,000 donation during its meeting Tuesday, Hill said that puts the shelter’s funds at approximately $74,500.
However, the drive for funding for the animal shelter to secure its future operations and help meet needs is still ongoing.
An anonymous donor has stepped up and pledged to match any cash donations up to $2,000 for donations made between August 15 and August 31.
Additionally, the shelter is holding a draw-down event next Saturday, and last minute tickets can still be purchased. Tickets are $99 each and include a hamburger and hot dog meal for two, as well as the chance to win a wide variety of prizes donated for the cause.
The grand prize will be $5,000, which will go to the individual with the last ticket drawn. Ticket holders do not have to be present to win.
The draw-down will be held at 6 p.m. August 27 at the old Weogufka gymnasium. For more information or to inquire about purchasing a ticket, text or call 256-391-7192 or email coosacountyanimalshelter41@gmail.com.
Following this final push for fundraising and donation efforts through the end of the month, Hill said that September will be the start of working on the building with volunteers.
He and the Board of Directors are preparing to shift gears to begin work on preparing the facility now that they know fundraising has been successful and that the shelter can finally come to fruition.
Hill said repairs to the building will begin next month and that they hope to have the shelter open at the beginning of December. However, they will need volunteers to help get the facility ready to operate as an animal shelter.
Those interested in volunteering can contact the shelter at 256-391-7192 or email coosacountyanimalshelter41@gmail.com for more information.
Those who would like to donate to the shelter can do so at any of the shelter’s donation jars set up throughout the county – including at “The Coosa County News” office, Triple R Cafe in Rockford and The Landing at Parker Creek, among others – or via Venmo on the shelter’s Facebook page. Donations can also be made via checks made payable to the Coosa County Animal Shelter and mailed to 5520 County Road 41; Sylacauga, AL 35151.