Students, adults donate to Humane Society

By Janet DelTufo, Assistant Editor

Pictured from back row left are Student Council Advisor Andy Binder, Former United States Vice President Dan Quayle and his wife Marilyn, and Humane Society of Wickenburg representative Larry Driscoll. Bottom row from left are Seventh Grade Council Representative Jordyn Owen, Student Council President and eighth grader Marissa Hancock, Student Council Secretary and seventh grader Chelsea Martin, and Student Council Treasurer and seventh grader Audrey Shumway.

Students from Vulture Peak School donated to the Humane Society of Wickenburg and presented the animal rescue organization with a $600 check during last week’s Humane Society golf tournament and fundraiser.

The Vulture Peak Student Council organized a three-week fundraiser this past March, and three charities were set to benefit through the collection of pennies and other coins. The student council presented the $600 check to the Society through former United States Vice President Dan Quayle and his wife Marilyn.

“It was very exciting to see the students from Vulture Peak and the young people from the Leos club with the former vice president,” said Society Representative Marianne Swanston. “The Leos also raised $600 for the Humane Society and presented the check to us through Mr. Quayle. They all were very taken by his presence. ”

The Quayles participated in last week’s charity event at the Wickenburg Country Club, which netted about $18,500 for the organization’s building fund. The Society also raised about $50,000 a few weeks ago during an auction that took place at Rancho de los Caballeros.

The Society has been actively fundraising for its shelter building fund. A piece of property at the Wickenburg Business Park has already been selected and paid for in its entirety, and the Society is currently waiting to hear back on the status of a large grant request.

“We want to start building as soon as possible,” Swanston said. “And because we are a non-profit organization, we hope to be going in front of the Wickenburg Town Council next week to see if the town will waive the more than $21,000 building permit fee.”

Swanston said the golf event was a success, and that next year’s fundraiser is already in the planning stages.

“But before we get ahead of ourselves, I want to thank Dan and Marilyn Quayle, the golfers who participated in the event, and everyone who donated money or items to this worthy cause,” Swanston said. “Without all of these donations and the good will of the Wickenburg community, including all those who have helped with the Humane Society from its inception, we would not be at the stage we are at and ready to build Wickenburg’s first animal shelter.”

A number of additional individuals and organizations contributed to the fundraiser, which included a dinner for four at the Wickenburg Firehouse.

Other large donations included a $1,000 check from the Wickenburg Rotary Club and a $10,900 golf membership from the Wickenburg Country Club.

There are a number of ways to assist or to donate to the Wickenburg Humane Society. For more information go to www.wickenburghumane.com or call 684-8801 or 684-0642.

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