Annual charitable drives upcoming

DIXFIELD- Two annual charitable activities are scheduled at Log Cabin Craftworks at 31 Main Street.

Barbara Lane of Peru, owner of Hot Colors Screenprinting and Design in Norway, is holding her 5th Annual Christmas Tee Shirt Giveaway. The first 100 people who donate four or more non perishable food pantry items for $5 in cash will receive a free tee shirt. Barbaras designs and prints these shirts specially for the fundraiser. Each shirt is unique to the year. She will be in the parking lot starting at 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on December 16, which is a Sunday instead of the usual Saturday.

Also, available will be a raffle for an American Girl type 18-inch doll with two handmade outfits donated by Elizabeth’s Hand Knits. All proceeds from the day will be divided equally between the food pantries of the Dixfield Common and Peru Baptist churches. All non perishable foods, personal care, laundry items and general needs items are welcome.

The second activity is ongoing. Donations of cat food, litter, toys, clean towels, money, etc...are being accepted for Christmas for Kitties.

For several years the citizens of Dixfield and other area towns have generously supported the Christmas for Kitties appeal. Donations are being collected at two locations in Dixfield; Log Cabin Craftworks and the town office. Benefiting from the collection are the cats, both indoor and feral, which are cared for by Brenda Jarvis and her sister Caddy Smith.

The funds collected are used for food, general care, heating costs and veterinary fees for the cats as well as spaying and neutering fees. The appeal began in memory of Barbara Thorpe, a Dixfield resident who wanted to help the sisters with their efforts. When she passed, they were listed as beneficiaries in her will, but in actuality received very little. Legal proceedings have still not been resolved.

This economy is difficult for all, and family pets suffer as well. Homeless cats which have been abandoned by their owners continue to be a problem all over the state.

A local group has formed a non-profit organization, River Valley Animal Advocates, and have started a program whose goal includes spaying, neutering, caring for feral cats, and offering help to seniors who have difficulty caring for their pets, especially when they are hospitalized.

Since beginning their work, they have spayed and neutered most of the known ferals in the River Valley area.

For more information on how to help or to become a member of the group, call Becky McDonald at 597-2323.

FMI, call 562-8816.