This year has been a tough year for nonprofits, with many fundraising events usually held in person canceled because of COVID-19. Chatham Animal Rescue and Education (CARE), a local animal rescue that serves Chatham County, is working around the pandemic.
CARE usually holds its dog walk, Woof-a-Polooza, in September, but had to cancel this year after raising $40,000 for cats and dogs at Woof-a-Palooza last year. Not having the event in 2020 significantly impacts an organization that completely relies on donations from individuals for support.
In addition, the organization also usually has a monthly get together called “Yappy Hour” at Carolina Brewery to raise funds and socialize along with their canine companions.
This year, the organization had to pivot to come up with new creative ideas for fundraising. In September, CARE rolled out a funny and creative fundraiser called the “CARE Awkward Pet Portraits.” For a donation of $15 per pet or more, a person submits their pet’s photo and then one of CARE’s volunteers-turned-artists attempts to draw the person’s pet.
The results are cute and fun. Some are even frame-worthy. Most are not, but the fun creates a unique fundraiser for CARE.
“We all need a laugh these days, and this fundraiser was a great way to get a little money in to help the many cats and dogs in our foster program until they find their forever homes,” said Pat Stancati, a CARE board member and the chairperson of the marketing and fundraising committee. While Yappy Hour is not an in-person fundraising event right now, the organization is holding a virtual Yappy Hour on Zoom the third Monday of each month to help people have a way to socialize safely with their pets.
“We are having trivia contests with prizes for those who guess the most questions correctly,” Stancati said. “There’s no charge, so it is not a fundraiser, but it’s a fun way to keep in touch with our community.”
The next Yappy Hour will be held at 6 p.m. on Oct. 19.
For more information about the CARE Awkward Pet Portrait fundraiser or Yappy Hour, go to www.chathamanimalrescue.org.