Archive: Around Town

The SPCA of Tompkins County announced its 4th Annual March for the Animals raised a record breaking $115,000, higher than the previous record in 2012. 225 people (forming 53 teams), 150 dogs, and 2 cats came to the March on September 28th after spending anywhere from a day to six months raising money for the medical care of SPCA of Tompkins County sheltered animals.

Jim Bouderau, executive director, says “How can I thank everyone enough? From our amazing corporate sponsors who set their own records for doubling our sponsorships to donors who brought and sent in huge checks for the March, to our top fundraising teams and individuals -- the list goes on and on for folks who went the extra mile to make this event a huge success!”

This includes event chairs Nancy and Alan Pedersen (who, Bouderau says “were our largest individual fundraisers and to whom we send out an enormous thank you!”).

While this sounds like a lot of money, the shelter is a private non-profit and is not municipally run. The SPCA relies almost entirely on individual donations, grants, and events like these for general operations support. With a budgeted fundraising need of $875,000 a year to make ends meet, the success of the March is crucial.

Bouderau says “It is amazing to have such a huge level of community support for this event. We were thrilled to see so many of members of the community and their pets at the March and hope that it continues to be a fall ‘must do’ event for local pet lovers.”

Corporate sponsors included CFCU Community Credit Union, Harris Beach L.L.C., Cornell Plantations F.R. Newman Arboretum, Cayuga Radio Group, Cayuga Medical Center, Colonial Veterinary Hospital, Sprague & Janowsky, Warren Real Estate, Sciarabba Walker, Chiang O'Brien, Bellwether Hard Cider, Communiqué Designs & Marketing, Autodesk, The Computing Center, Hilton Garden Inn- Ithaca, Audrey Edelman Realty USA, Felicia's Atomic Lounge, The Frame Shop, Kionix, Lambrou Real Estate, the Strebel Planning Group, 14850.com, Agava., Bells Design, Dede Hatch Photography, Island Health & Fitness, Rachel Philipson Photography & Design and Rasa Spa.

v9i38