MIDDLEBURY — Saturday, Sept. 17, yielded great things for Homeward Bound, Addison County’s Humane Society, as their largest fundraiser of the year raised over $26,000 to support the work of the shelter. Sixty dogs and 126 people participated in the 1-mile walk around Middlebury, but it was the festivities that followed the walk that seemed to spark the greatest excitement.
“Thanks to the Town of Middlebury and their Recreation Department, we were able to add a pool party just for dogs at the conclusion of the walk and it was a huge hit! We also added live music and the A&W food cart, which rounded out a really enjoyable event for all involved,” shared Executive Director Jess Danyow. “The weather was perfect, watching the dogs play in the pool was a hoot, and the generosity of our community of animal lovers was heartwarming.”
Danyow added, “The funds raised will be directed to animal care. We have already served almost 700 animals this year. That’s more than we helped in all of 2015, so this fundraiser was very important to us. We have been able to come to the aid of the Addison County animals who need us and have also been able to bring in almost 200 animals from beyond Vermont who were residing in high volume shelters. Without a community who believes in our mission, this wouldn’t be possible. We are saving and enriching lives thanks to them.”
The top youth fundraiser and winner of a “day of play” package from Whirlie’s World, The Marquis Theatre and Vermont Sun was Allegra de Boer of Vergennes, who raised $1,040. The top adult fundraiser and winner of a Kenmore gas grill valued at $400 courtesy of Middlebury Sears was Jane Steele; this is the second year in a row Jane has garnered this recognition. She raised $1,388. The top team and recipient of a private lunch provided by the Grapevine Grille was “Team Tyson,” consisting of Adam Miller and Susan Stasny of New Haven. They raised $1,831.