VINTON–Employees at the Hardy Road Kroger in Vinton held a fundraiser for Angels of Assisi on August 22. Angels of Assisi is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization “dedicated to the preservation and care of all living creatures.”
The idea for the event originated with the news in early August that over 70 animals had been given over to the organization when they were removed from a home in Botetourt County by animal control due to neglect. Fifteen dogs, eight cats, 28 chickens and roosters, and 11 miniature horses were signed over by the owner and taken to Angels of Assisi for shelter and care.
Ann McBride who works in Kroger’s Drug and General Merchandise department organized the fundraiser with assistance and contributions from employees in all departments. Different groups and individuals put together gift baskets which were raffled off. O’Reilly Auto Parts also donated a bucket of car wash supplies for the raffle.
Homemade baked goods and crafts were on sale. Monetary donations and pet supplies were accepted.
Employees from Kroger assisted with the fundraiser throughout the day. At the end of the event, an estimated $1000 was raised from the bake sale and cash donations. Two truckloads of pet supplies were collected. Several pets found families through adoptions as a result of the publicity.
Representatives from the Angels of Assisi group were on hand with details on adoptions and a “tripod” puppy looking for a home.
Angels of Assisi is located on Campbell Avenue in downtown Roanoke. More information on adoptions and donations can be found online at www.angelsofassisi.org.
There are many avid pet owners and animal lovers among the employees at the Vinton Kroger. The store accepts donations of pet supplies on a daily basis in boxes located at the front of the store near the cash registers—one for the SPCA and one for Angels of Assisi.
