3 C
Niagara Falls
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
NOTL Cat Rescue rings in spring with fundraiser
Tanya Rice and her niece Meka show off one of their hand- made floral arrangements for the fundraiser. (Julia Sacco) Julia Sacco

From handcrafting floral arrangements to collecting donations, the NOTL Cat Rescue is truly a family affair. 

Tanya Rice, the rescue’s director of fundraising, opened up her garage for the group’s spring floral sale. 

Easter-themed floral arrangements made with tulips and geraniums were available with proceeds going toward cat rescue expenses – and donations of food and supplies were accepted with open arms. 

“We were setting up the front porch because we had to maximize things from the wind today and while we were setting up people were already waiting in their cars,” said Rice. 

“This is our third annual and the support from the community and the community initiative has been great.”

The planters, put together by Rice, her mother Joyce and a friend with donations from Kaulzaric Family Farm were a hit, with over 60 planters being nearly sold out by 1 p.m.

All donations go toward medical bills, emergency medical expenses, spade and neutering, microchipping and housekeeping in general.

When people foster, they don’t pay anything so donations are spread across your foster families,” said Rice.

Aside from benefitting the furry friends, Rice is happy to organize these fundraisers as a means of spending time with the community and her family. 

“The cat rescue was (important to) my late sister who lost her battle with MS last November, so we keep the legacy going,” said Rice, who was running the event alongside her mom and niece. 

Gaining new foster applications and donations, the event was a success, and Rice is already looking forward to the next one.

Gesturing to a shelf in her garage, Rice explained that she will be making the arrangements for the holiday fundraiser. 

“Those bins up there are, those are for Christmas!” 

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