Van’s Thriftway in Helena Makes Major Donation to Lewis & Clark Humane Society
$28,500 Given to Shelter from Year-Long Fundraising Efforts by Van’s Staff and Vendor
Van’s Thriftway, a locally-owned and operated grocery store in Helena, has collected $28,500 in donations to benefit the Lewis & Clark Humane Society, shelter officials announced today. The gift was the culmination of a variety of fund-raising efforts that Van’s initiated, beginning last year.
Gina Wiest, Lewis & Clark Humane Society Executive Director said, “We are incredibly fortunate that Van’s employees and their vendors care so much about the welfare of homeless animals in our community. Their incredible fundraising efforts, totaling $28,500, are a testament to their dedication and their innovative and wide-reaching fundraising ideas.” Van’s employees worked for months to create and promote fundraising programs at the store, including raffling off a custom-built child’s playhouse, selling promotional wristbands, a fully decorated Christmas tree for the holidays, and creating special promotions with vendors.
Paula Vander-Jagt, store owner and manager said, “Van’s is proud to be associated with the Humane Society, and we were delighted to help them with their continuing efforts to raise money to help abandoned and homeless animals. Our vendors, employees and our customers from the community who supported our fundraisers are to be commended for stepping up to help a most worthy cause.”
A check presentation ceremony was held at the Van’s Thriftway on Euclid on Wednesday, June 15th at 1:00pm. It was part of a special, day long promotion to celebrate pets. Vander-Jagt said the store would have special promotions running that day as well to celebrate animals. Additionally, Lewis & Clark Humane Society staff will be on hand from 11-2 that day to register people for their 11th annual Strutt Your Mutt walk-a-thon and pet fair taking place on June 18th.
June 1, 2010