By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
May 19, 2001
With recent fund-raisers and a substantial donation, Lauderdale County Humane Society volunteers now have enough money to get their animal shelter ready to house strays.
The group received $675 from recent fund-raisers the Bonita Lakes Saddle Club's Second Annual Tom Stephenson Trail Ride, a bake sale, a car wash and a cocker spaniel donated to sell for funds.
Humane Society Vice President Cathy Long said they received donations from a relative of Tom Stephenson, Mitchell Companies and the Moose Lodge as well as several individuals. Structural Steel made a substantial contribution. Officials at Southern Pipe, Industrial Electric and General Supply have pledged support.
Humane Society organizer Cheryl Walton said the group now has $10,000. The estimated cost to get the animal shelter on Lovers' Lane ready to house animals is $15,000.
She said nothing can be done to the building until the concrete floor is finished. Lauderdale County officials are helping with the floor work. Engineer Terrell Temple visited the site and Walton said she is waiting for him to set a date to get some of the work done.
Walton said she needs professionals to volunteer for some of the carpentry and electrical work or to supervise and teach volunteers who are willing to do the work but don't know how.
Mississippi Materials has offered the concrete at a reduced rate, and a Ramuc Pool Paint donated 28 gallons of pool paint to paint the concrete, a donation that was acquired over the Internet. A&B Communications donated a security system.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3275, or e-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.