Craig Street Cats

No, we are not becoming a PBS station. We are having a pledge drive, though.

The cost of running Craig Street Cats has gone from almost nothing to almost $100,000/yr in just 2 years. We are not raising anywhere near that much at our fundraising events. Our regular monthly expenses (vets, food, equipment, supplies, phones, etc.) total almost $5,000. Emergencies and unforeseen events bring the yearly total to almost $100,000. That does not include any salaries — nobody is getting paid to do this.

We currently have monthly pledges totalling $175.00. I sit at information tables 5 or 6 days every month, and raise approximately $750 / month. Donation cans bring in another $40 or $50 / month. We receive an average of $250.00 in one time donations each month. That’s an average of $1,225.00 / month, leaving an average shortfall of $3,775.00 / month. Money raised at our fundraising events, like the Spay-Ghetti Dinner and the rummage sale, goes to cover the accumulated shortfall, instead of being held to cover future expenses and emergencies. This means that we have no funds available during our busiest rescue and TNR season.  Summer is when we most need money, but we have no time to do fundraising events because we are so very busy doing rescue and TNR.

Because of all this, we are having a pledge drive. In order to continue, we must be able to pay our bills. We are asking our supporters to make regular monthly contributions to help us do that. Any amount will help. You can make your pledge through our donation page.  The subscription link will accept amounts from $5.00 on up.  If you would like to make a pledge in an amount not listed, you can download our mail in donation form and send it to us.   If you would prefer to send a series of post dated cheques we will gladly hold each cheque until its proper deposit date.  We can accept email money transfers, as well.  We’ll even answer the phone to take your pledge.  You can call us at 223-6652.

Thank you for your help!

Well, our 2nd annual giant rummage and bake sale is now history, and it was a huge success!  There were a few little glitches, but it was loads of fun and we raised over $3,000 to care for the cats.  Thanks to everyone who came out to support us, and special thanks to the AMAZING volunteers who made it all happen.  Kudos to the staff at R.A. Steen C.C., for a great job and thank you for all your help.

Plans are already in the works for next year’s event.  The planning committee will start meeting in June.  If you would like to be part of this great team, please call 223-6652 and let us know.

Where:  R.A. Steen C.C., 980 Palmerston
When:  May 8 and 9, 10am to 4pm

Rummage Sale | Bake Sale | Lunch Bar | Prize Draws | Bargains Galore | Fun!

Yep, it’s that time of year again, and we’re gearing up for our 2nd biiiiiig rummage sale.  We’ve booked R.A. Steen C.C., 980 Palmerston, for May 8 and 9, and we’re hoping to make this year’s event even more successful than last year’s.

Like last year, we’ll be having a special kids’ table, so little ones can shop for Mom.  Everything will be new, gift wrapping supplied, and all items will feature the same LOW price:  $5.00

The baking table was incredibly popular last year, so we’ll be adding even more yummy goodies.  We’r'e asking for donations of fresh baked goods, jams, jellies, preserves, pickles, etc. for the bake sale table.  Please contact Linda at 488-6865 to donate items for this table.

If you’re planning on cleaning out the closets and/or garage this spring, please keep us in mind.  We’re looking for all sorts of gently used items for the sale:

• toys and games
• children’s items
• music
• musical instruments
• dvd’s
• kitchen wares
• house wares
• small appliances
• books
• SMALL furniture items
• sporting goods
• electronics
• jewellry
• fashion accessories (shoes, purses, belts, scarves, etc.)
• tools
• stereo or computer components
• home decor

Please call Elizabeth at 256-0712 or Lynne at 223-6652 to arrange donation of rummage sale items

In addition to the above items, we are asking for donations of prize items for our draws.  Please call Lynne at 223-6652 if you can help fill our prize baskets.

I have already received dozens of calls about this year’s rummage sale, and it’s looking to be a huge success.  See you all there!

Well, our first spay-ghetti dinner was a huge success!  We served over 250 plates of amazing Olive Garden spaghetti and marinara sauce, handed out some terrific prize packages, and had a great time!  There were a few whoopsies over the course of the evening, but I hope I will be forgiven for my unintentional gaffes.

All told we raised close to $4,000 to care for free roaming cats.  Most of that will go for vet bills, with some left to fund this spring’s TNR project.  Thanks to everyone who came out, especially the amazing volunteers who helped with setup, serving and clean up.