Community support gives shelter a big boost
By Hollie Gowen
Special to The Star-Herald
The season of giving seems to be in full swing already at the Central Aroostook Humane Society. A recent fundraiser and collection drive were huge successes, and two more fundraisers are right around the corner. All this generosity from the community means the shelter will be able to make building improvements and better serve animals in need.
DONATION — This young man’s name is Ryan Czosnek, of Presque Isle. He donated $50 he got from returning bottles and cans he collected along roads in the area to the Central Aroostook Humane Society. 
Ruby Tuesday’s at the Aroostook Centre Mall is having a “Give Back” event this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 23-25, to benefit the Humane Society. Anyone eating there during those days can present their server with a special flyer and the restaurant will then donate 20 percent of their purchase to the shelter. What an easy way to do something good! There is no cost to the patron whatsoever; you just have to have the flyer. Flyers are available at the shelter, from board members and Friends of CAHS, or by emailing cahs@atimaine.net.
The other upcoming fundraiser will be the annual Pictures with Santa Paws on Dec. 1 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the shelter.
These two great events will be coming on the heels of the Humane Society’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The third annual Toast for the Animals wine tasting and silent auction took place on Friday, Nov. 9, at The Crow’s Nest in Presque Isle. Co-hosted by the Friends of CAHS and Momentum Aroostook, this year’s “Toast” was the best yet.
The 169 event attendees sampled four different California wines, each with its own food pairing, while bidding on some fabulous silent auction items.
Local businesses, artists and craftsmen outdid themselves with donations for the auction. One big-ticket item was a handmade set of Adirondack chairs donated by Ernest C. Drost of Presque Isle in loving memory of his son, Ernest C. Drost II (Cobby), who passed away earlier this year.
Another popular piece receiving many bids was a painting by Tim Gagnon.
The auction had more than 90 lots in total, and some lots had multiple items. The number of people who came together to make the auction a success is incredible! Every contribution was much appreciated, as were the bidders who bid so generously.
In addition to the wine, food and auction, attendees enjoyed live music provided by Ryan Carney. Four lucky people won door prizes, and many people tried their luck at a 50/50 drawing.
Peter Ouellette won the 50/50 but rather than take the winnings of $207, he chose to donate it right back to the Humane Society, giving the evening’s fundraising another boost.
The goal was to raise $7,500 to help the shelter update its air exchange system, which draws in fresh air to the various rooms to regulate humidity, control odors and prevent possible disease outbreaks among the animals.
I’m happy to report that the event not only reached this goal but surpassed it. The final tally came in at an amazing $8,468.29!
None of this would have been possible without the financial support of the event’s many sponsors.
Taking place the same week as the Toast for the Animals was a huge collection drive put on by The Aroostook Medical Center and MMG Insurance. The drive brought in an overwhelming amount of cleaning supplies, pet food and cat litter, which will help the shelter for weeks to come.
Funds normally spent purchasing these items can be used instead on such things as medications and spay/neuter surgeries.
If you are looking for a friend for life, please visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We are open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
You can give the shelter a call at 764-3441 or visit us on Facebook.
