Benefit auction Saturday for GCAO
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years AGO
Timmy, a resident at Grant County Animal Outreach, put on his best bib and tucker to encourage people to attend the GCAO silent auction Saturday.
COURTESY PHOTO/GRANT COUNTY ANIMAL OUTREACH
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | December 14, 2023 3:40 PM
MOSES LAKE — Animal lovers are being invited to participate in a fundraising silent auction to benefit Grant County Animal Outreach Saturday afternoon. “Paws for a Cause” will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Rick’s Eatery & Entertainment, 810 W. Third Ave., Moses Lake.
Kar Vanerstrom, vice president of the GCAO board, said businesses have been responsive.
“Right now I have about 70 (auction items),” Vanerstrom said Thursday afternoon. “We’ve got (auction items) from A to Z.”
They include jewelry, toys, gift certificates from businesses around town, gift baskets put together by businesses and individuals. The owners of Rick’s donated the use of the space, she said.
“We just got a bunch of people that have been willing to help,” Vanerstrom said “It’s been really encouraging.”
Santa will be at Rick’s for pictures with children, and so will the mean, green, frowny face known as the Grinch.
“We’ve got cocoa and cookies,” Vanerstrom said, “and, of course, candy canes.”
The auction also will include a “pet tree,” where the ornaments feature pictures of GCAO animals. The dogs and cats pictured are available for adoption but, Vanerstrom said, not everyone can adopt a pet. So attendees also have the option of donating money for sponsorships for animals. There’s a payment code on the back of every ornament for people who want to pay on the spot.
Sponsorships pay for procedures and services the animals need, including spay and neutering, vaccinations and microchipping. People can make a monthly donation to sponsor a kennel.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].
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