With the Greene County Animal Facility construction project reaching the halfway mark of the $1.13 million fundraising goal, community support continues to grow.

Amazing Race for Charity committee member Angie Gingery says they raised $5,041 toward the animal facility. She was amazed at how the community showed its support.

“It’s just so obvious the support that this community has for the animal facility. People just came out of the woodwork to support it. We set a jar out at the after party and people just stuffed it, I mean there was $500 just stuffed in that jar from the community. That spoke to me, volumes about what the community thinks of the effort.”

The City of Jefferson may also help provide financing for the project. The project has been promoted to be built without using taxpayer money. However, City Administrator Mike Palmer says the City Council wants to help, due to some grant deadlines limiting the time frame to come up with additional funds.

“You really hate to be looking at a half-a-million dollars back if maybe some participation from the City level could help move that along and get the project done and not have that money go back.” 

Another special fundraiser is coming up Sunday, October 6th at the Thomas Jefferson Gardens Education and Welcome Center. A Spanish meal of paella will be served at noon. Co-organizer Amy Van Der Meer’s husband Piet is from Spain and she talks about why they wanted to put on a fundraiser like this.

“Piet’s family (from Spain) is really into animal shelters. His mom in Spain is a protector, she helps place animals in Spain. Every summer that we’re there (in Spain) she’s always calling and making arrangements for pets to go places. And I think the love for animals has just been passed down to my husband. He wanted to do something to try and help out.”

Piet will also perform Spanish guitar music. Tickets are $25 and there is a limit of 30. Tickets can be purchased at the welcome center.