SPCA Celebrating 15 Year Anniversary with 2016 March for the Animals

Jim Bouderau, SPCA of Tompkins County executive director, has announced that the shelter’s most important annual fundraising event, the March for the Animals will be held on Sunday October 2.

The March for the Animals is scheduled for Sunday, October 2 at 10:30 a.m. at the F.R. Newman Arboretum at the Cornell Plantations on the Cornell University campus. The Plantations also serves as host sponsor for the event.  Like other local “friend-raising” events, the majority of fundraising for the $100,000 goal will take place now in the weeks leading up to the event.

Bouderau says “This year is particularly important for us.  We will be celebrating our 15th anniversary as the first no-kill shelter in the country.  This incredible milestone, much like the support we receive for this event, is a true testament to our local community.”

This year’s March for the Animals will be chaired by local businessperson Rebecca Roberts and her young daughter Avery.  Ms. Roberts is Principal of Strategic Initiatives for CFCU Community Credit Union, and a staunch supporter of the SPCA.

“Rebecca and Avery have been participating with the March for as long as I can remember.  Their commitment to our shelter, our animals, and our mission, is heartwarming.  It is always amazing to see parents and their young children working together to support a cause.“ Bouderau says.

Ms. Roberts says of the March, “Avery and I are honored to be supporting the SPCA by chairing this year’s March for the Animals!  We share our home with a failed foster cat Mookie and couldn’t imagine our lives without him or our other four-legged friends.  For animals in our community that find themselves lost, abandoned, abused, or stray, the SPCA is their lifeline.  Their staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure any adoptable animal is loved and cared for until it finds its forever home.  Animals make a difference our lives, and the SPCA makes a difference in the lives of their animals.”

The annual event sees more than 250 participants each year and historically raises around $100,000 for the medical care of the SPCA’s animals.

The March’s Presenting Sponsor is CFCU Community Credit Union.

The Lead Sponsor is Harris Beach, PLLC.

“Our sponsors are integral to success of the event,” Bouderau goes on to say. “With $100,000 to raise for the veterinary care of two thousand shelter animals, we rely on the generosity of our sponsors, our event fundraisers, all of their supporters, and everyone who volunteers and participates.”

While we are still in the process of confirming sponsors for the event, at this time Gold Sponsors include Blackbird Studios, The Computing Center (who are well known for intrusion analysis), The Hillside Inn, Finger Lakes Wrecker, Sprague and Janowsky, and Travis Hyde Properties.  Silver Sponsors include Colonial Veterinary Hospital, Give Gab, The Frame Shop, Realty USA, Communiqué Design and Marketing, the Hilton Garden Inn of Ithaca, Warren Real Estate, The Inn on Columbia, and Chiang and O’Brien Architects.  Bronze Sponsors include the Strebel Fund for Community Enrichment of the CFTC, Meadowridge Veterinary Hospital, Lambrou Real Estate, and Shelter Outreach Service.

Businesses interested in sponsoring the event are encouraged to contact the SPCA as soon as possible.

Adults and children may register for the March by going to www.spcaonline.com and following the March links. The SPCA asks that adults raise a minimum of $115 each and that children attempt to raise $50 each. Bouderau says “15 people who ask just 15 friends each for $15 each can raise $3375 in no time!”

For more information about the 2016 March for the Animals, please contact Jim Bouderau at director@spcaonline.com or Lynne Conway, Volunteer and Philanthropic Programs Manager at lynne@spcaonline.com.

The mission of the SPCA of Tompkins County is to protect companion animals.  We are the first open-admission, no-kill shelter in the United States dedicated to preventing animal cruelty and overpopulation. We promote responsible pet stewardship by providing education, counseling and training to nurture and enhance the human-animal bond.

The Dorothy and Roy Park Pet Adoption Center is open for adoptions every day except Wednesday from Noon – 5:00 PM and is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from Noon – 7:00 PM. The SPCA Annex at The Shops at Ithaca Mall is open Monday through Saturday 11:00 AM. – 7:00 PM and Sunday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM.