Pets Alive to honor volunteers at Oct. 5 fundraiser
Middletown. The honorees are Melanie DiRaimondo, animal control officer for the town of Wallkill, and volunteers Jeanne Marie Litts, Patti Meyers, and Caroline Lyons.
| 17 Sep 2019 | 12:51
Melanie DiRaimondo
Patti Meyers
Pets Alive will honor several local people for their compassion and dedication to the animals at its no-kill animal rescue organization in Middletown.
The honorees will be feted at the Pets Alive Harvest of Hope fundraiser from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at The Country Club at Otterkill, 100 Otter Road, Campbell Hall. They are: Melanie DiRaimondo, animal control officer, town of Wallkill; Jeanne Marie Litts, Pets Alive volunteer; Patti Meyers, Pets Alive dog volunteer; and Caroline Lyons, Pets Alive cat volunteer.
“We are grateful to this year’s Award Winners for their service to the animals, and congratulate them for their achievements,” said Becky Tegze, executive cirector at Pets Alive.
Event highlights include DJ music, photo booth, hors d'oeuvres and buffet dinner, cash bar, Tarot card readings, a raffle, and silent auction.
Tickets are $75 per guest or $700 for a table of 10. For more information or tickets visit petsalive.org or email harvest@petsalive.org.
Pets Alive is a non-profit charity operating solely on donations, with no funding from the city or state. Their facility is located at 363 Derby Road, Middletown.
Many area businesses and private individuals are supporting the event through their donations and sponsorship, including: Manic Panic N.Y.C., Boyce Excavating, author Jennifer Probst, Legoland New York, WTBQ, HomeAgain, HONORehg, Trupanion, US Storage Systems, the Barlament-Oliver family, Mid Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, and Ironworkers Local 417.
About the honorees:
Melanie DiRaimondo is the animal control officer for the town of Wallkill and a recipient of the annual Starfish Award. She has rescued scores of animals from abusive situations and abandonment. Pets Alive works closely with her, and she also volunteers at the shelter.
Jeanne Marie Litts is a long-time volunteer and recipient of the Starfish Award. She has fostered dozens of kittens for Pets Alive, and has found homes for many. She started and runs the annual Bowl-a-Thon for the Animals held in the spring each year at Quinnz Pinz. To date, her efforts have raised more $18,000 for the animals through the four years of the event.
Patti Meyers is a recipient of the Golden Paw Award. She is a long-time volunteer and volunteers her time almost daily, working tirelessly to help the dog adoption team find homes for canines. She also fosters dogs and rolls up her sleeves to help with other tasks as well.
Caroline Lyons is a recipient of the Golden Whiskers Award. She is a long-time volunteer and comes in multiple times a week. She works with the cat team to care for the felines at Pets Alive. She also helps with fundraising and at offsite events, wherever else the organization needs help.