Anonymous benefactor pledges big donation to local animal shelter
Man says he will match $25,000 in donations for North Smithfield Animal Shelter
NORTH SMITHFIELD – A longtime benefactor of the Friends of the North Smithfield Animal Shelter will donate $25,000 to the shelter if the volunteer organization can raise that same that amount by the end of December.
The man – who wishes to remain anonymous – is a longtime supporter of the non-profit shelter and has made periodic donations over the past five years. This year, however, he’s issued a $25,000 challenge, hoping his generosity will inspire people to donate what they can to help the financially-strapped shelter, which relies on donations to pay for food, medicine and veterinary care for homeless animals. Cindy Rondeau, president of the Friends of the North Smithfield Animal Shelter, and the volunteers who operate the shelter, say they’re up for the challenge.
“We were one of three charitable organizations that this gentleman issued the challenge to and we have until the end of December to meet that challenge,” she said.
It’s going to be tough raising that kind of money, but Rondeau says the shelter is going to do what it can, starting with a family-style spaghetti and meatball supper and fundraiser to be held Sunday, March 20 at the Village Haven Restaurant on School Street.
The community-style seating begins at 5 p.m. with dinner served at 5:30 p.m. The meal includes all-you-can-eat spaghetti and meatballs, salad, rolls and butter. Coffee and dessert is included.
There will also be a cash bar available for the purchase of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for children 4 to 12; and free for children under the age
of 3. Tickets are available at the North Smithfield Animal Shelter, the North Smithfield Animal Hospital, or from any volunteer.
The spaghetti and meatball fundraiser is one of several fundraisers the Friends of the North Smithfield Animal Shelter are planning to hold throughout the year in hopes of raising the $25,000. The group is also working with Bryant University students on possible fundraising ideas.
Bryant has had a long history with the North Smithfield Animal Shelter located on Quaker Highway. A couple of years ago, a student helped develop a new web page for the shelter, while another group of students assisted the shelter in reaching out to the community to promote awareness of the organization’s needs.
If the shelter is able to raise its share of the challenge, the $50,000 will be used to update the heating and cooling system at the shelter; improve and enhance the outdoor dog exercise area; and help pay for spaying/neutering and other medical bills.
Every year, the not-forprofit shelter struggles to pay for food, medicine, veterinary care and spay/neuter costs, which can easily cost in excess of $10,000 a year.
The Friends of the North Smithfield Animal Shelter, an organization dedicated to animal well-being and the promotion of the human-animal bond through programs of education, advocacy and assistance.
The shelter’s volunteer program has been in existence for over 30 years. Many of the volunteers have been at the shelter for more than 25. Volunteers provide all services at the shelter including cleaning, laundry, animal socialization, office work, greeting visitors, adoptions, returning animals to their owners, and educating owners about responsible pet ownership.
Volunteers also participate in various fundraiser activities. All money raised through fundraising and donations help pay for food, medicine and veterinary treatment for all animals in the shelter who are awaiting their forever home.
The shelter also maintains a lost and found webpage on petfinder.com; provide weekly “pet of the week” photos to The Call/Times and maintains a computerized pet database and health records for each animal in its care.
When asked how confident she is the shelter will be able to raise $25,000 in the next nine months, Rondeau says the shelter will do its best.
“This is the challenge, so we’ll do what we can to meet that challenge,” she said.
To help the shelter, donations can be sent to the Friends of the North Smithfield Animal Shelter, P. O. Box 653, Slatersville, RI 02876. Donations can also be made on the organization’s website at www.friendsofnsas.com and via the Go Fund Me campaign at www.gofund.me/qnn7zukg.
For more information on how to volunteer at the shelter, call (401) 766-0377.