LASS raises $13,000 for animal shelter - Long version

By Mandy Catoe
Friend of LASS

Animal lovers raised $13,000 at The Ivy Place Sunday in a fundraiser sponsored by the Sun City group, Lancaster Animal Shelter Supporters.
Dressed in their Sunday best, 250 people enjoyed beautiful weather with a cool breeze as musicians sang soothing songs between keynote speakers and a fashion show.
"We appreciate everybody being here especially councilmen Terry Graham and Larry Honeycutt who have done an amazing job for us," said Sue White, LASS co-founder.
"We started out bringing food and supplies to the shelter and now county council members are stepping up to the plate."
"A new shelter is no longer a dream," she said tearing up. "It's going to be a reality."
Diane Rashall, LASS treasurer, called with the updated numbers Tuesday afternoon.
"This will make a huge difference in the lives of the shelter dogs and cats," Rashall said. "With the shelter sanitized and epoxied, and the beds, medicine, spay/neuter and other improvements LASS can fund, things will be much better until our new shelter is built."
Arlene McCarthy, LASS president, shared the story of LASS and how it grew from two concerned women to a community of activism and inspiration.
Four years ago White and Janine Gross took pet food to the Lancaster County Animal Shelter and found an old, underfunded, understaffed, overcrowded facility struggling to keep up with the county's growth. The euthanasia rate was high. Shocked by the conditions, Gross and White rolled up their sleeves and got to work. 
"Today the LASS group has grown substantially and through their efforts there is no longer a shortage of food or bedding," McCarthy said. "The care of the animals has improved dramatically due to a group of volunteers who visit on a regular basis to do laundry, clean crates, sweep the floor, and work with and for the animals."
McCarthy listed the many improvements LASS has made. Through donations from Sun City residents, they supplied food, medicine, blankets, towels, cat litter, cleaning supplies, and bedding. They bought a new washer and dryer and a professional grade microscope to test for parasites.
They painted the shelter's front offices and bought a dehumidifier.
They earned the support of county council with their constant presence and their willingness to work.
They convinced council to hire more help at the shelter, volunteered to fill in the gaps, and raised enough money to buy seven more kennels.
"One hundred percent of the money donated to LASS goes to the animals," McCarthy said. "We are totally a volunteer organization."
In the past seven months, LASS has adopted out 92 cats and kittens with the help of the Lancaster PetSense. LASS paid to have the cats sterilized and vaccinated.
She thanked the attendees for their generosity and support and said LASS could do even more with more volunteers and a new animal shelter.
McCarthy thanked sponsors including Oil Dry Corporation of America who has donated lots of cat litter to the shelter.
Lancaster County Animal Shelter Director Alan Williams attended and was pleased to see all the support.
"The more awareness it brings, the better off we will be," he said. "I think as more people see what we are dealing with, they will help us out."
Ralph Norman was present and noted the attendees, many in fancy hats, looked a little like the Kentucky Derby crowd.
"I'm here to support a great cause," he said. "We have always owned animals - cat, dogs, horses, and cows - for as long as I can remember. When I heard about it, I said 'I have got to come to this.'"
Mike Pogue, of Team Pogue, a Panhandle-based Real Estate agency, gathered donations during the event and matched the total which tallied up to $547.
Nutramax gave $500. Kristen Blanchard, vice president of external corporate affairs, and her husband, Jim, added an extra $250.
"Nutramax Laboratories makes products for animals so any chance we can take to help out, we do so, especially with the animal shelter," Blanchard said. "We got to know LASS over the past year or so and we are excited to help them. They are a wonderful, wonderful group and this is such a great event."
Nutramax sent a total of 10 employees and guests to the event.
At least nine vendors, all self-professed animal lovers, were set up outside the huge white tent.
Patti and Michael Diamond, jewelry makers and owners of Be Dazzling, said they currently live with a rescued cat and dog.
"They are great," Michael said. "They keep you happy and they keep you healthy."
Beth Hornback of Griff's Greenhouse was sharing gardening tips and selling plants at her table which was covered with vegetation.
Simply Sinful owner Stephanie Fairfax and her daughter Brooklynn were located at the first vendor table with a banner advising that "Life is uncertain, eat dessert first." People heeded the advice and by event's end only a few sweet treats remained on their table.
The Ivy Place owner, Graham who is serving his first term on county council, welcomed everyone on behalf of his wife, his dog and four cats. He and his wife, Genie, hosted the event.
The musicians, Sun City residents, Dennis Johnson and Paul Lameroux volunteered their time and talent.
Three county council members, Billy Mosteller, Honeycutt and Graham, presented the county's "Thumb's Up" award to Indian Land veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth Hill for her service to the animals at the shelter.
McCarthy introduced Honeycutt to the audience.
"His invaluable support has allowed us to do all the things we are trying to do for the Lancaster Animal Shelter," McCarthy said. "He has listened to us. He has heard us complain and he has garnered support from other members of the council."
Honeycutt took the microphone after a round of applause and closed the event with the biggest announcement of the day.
 "Dogs and cats have been put on this earth for a reason," he said. "We must all join LASS to make sure they are taken care of. That is what God has chosen for us to do."
He said LASS taught him that the animal shelter is a reflection of the community it serves. Honeycutt described the past conditions as "deplorable."
Quoting Socrates, he said "The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not in fighting the old, but in building the new."
"Ladies and gentlemen, we will have a new animal shelter."
A huge round of applause broke out and slowly the tent emptied.
LASS is a certified nonprofit, so all contributions are tax-deductible. Donations can be sent to LASS, 51037 Arrieta Court, Indian Land, SC 29707. Call Diane Rashall at (704) 576-5674 for information.


Follow Mandy Catoe on Twitter @MandyCatoeTLN