On Sunday, the Carbon County Friends of Animals held a drive-thru picnic and Chinese auction at the shelter to raise money for their cats. The event took place Saturday as well, but did not offer the drive-thru picnic that day due to the rain.

Aside from the drive-thru picnic, people could leave their cars and buy a T-shirt or take part in the Chinese auction, which included a large variety of prizes among the 75 donated baskets. When participating in the auction, people were required to wear a mask, social distance and refrain from touching the baskets. Additionally, if attendees made a monetary donation or brought a wish list item (wet canned cat food, HE laundry detergent, paper towels, dish soap, antibacterial hand soap, rubber gloves, Purina cat or kitten chow, Lysol/Clorox wipes, etc.) they would be entered in to win a door prize.

One of the organizers of the event, Kimmy Mulik, worked as a board member at the shelter for 19 years and recently stepped down this past December. Despite her resignation, she still remains an avid volunteer and fundraiser organizer.

Mulik talked about the effects that COVID-19 has had on the animal shelter this year. With many of their previous fundraising efforts taking place indoors, hosting events this year has been difficult. Needing an outdoor fundraiser, the idea for the drive-thru picnic and Chinese auction event was born.

“We typically have a Vera and Coach bingo in the spring and one in the fall, and we could not have that because of indoor rules. So we decided to come up with something different, and this is almost taking the place of our bingos, however, the bingos are our most beneficial fundraisers as far as money. This is something that we thought would get the public out though since we’re outdoors and everyone can see each other from a distance.”

Carbon County Friends of Animals also plans to host a chicken dinner fundraiser on Oct. 18 with a pickup time from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the shelter. The meal consisting of boneless chicken breast, filling, mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw and a roll will be provided by A&C Catering. Preordered tickets can be purchased at the shelter, Deezine Flower Shop in Jim Thorpe, Deet’s Cuts and Curls in Lehighton, and Country Clippers Pet Grooming in Palmerton. Free delivery will also be made available upon request by emailing ktweet@ptd.net or dunbardana99@yahoo.com.

Mulik stressed the importance of people spaying and neutering their pets. Failing to do so results in shelters experiencing an overcrowding of animals which severely limits their resources. By spaying and neutering, pet owners can better their pet’s health as well as ensure that available shelter animals are able to find a home.

All proceeds raised from the drive-thru picnic and Chinese auction event will benefit the cats at the shelter, including their medical care, food and cat litter. To donate or learn more about the Carbon County Friends of Animals, visit ccfoa.info or call 570-325-9400.