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Gliding school officers and
staff support shelter
By Jim Mosher
Friday August 18, 2006
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Granger receives big boost for shelter from Lt. Col. Gillrie Wednesday
afternoon. Members of the all ranks mess fundraising crew also join the
celebration.
JIM MOSHER |
Interlake Spectator — Animal control officer Rene Granger was beaming
after Gimli Animal Shelter received a sizeable donation from the officers and
staff of the Regional Gliding School, Prairie Region,
Wednesday.
The air cadet gliding school all ranks mess conducted a Fun Las Vegas night Aug.
12. The evening was well-supported by area businesses, which provided prizes for
a silent auction. The fundraiser netted more than $1,000 -- all of it sent the
way of the non-profit animal shelter.
“This is just wonderful,” Granger said as Lt. Col. Dean Gillrie, commanding
officer of the gliding school based at Gimli Industrial Park, presented a
cheque for $1,136 to the shelter Wednesday afternoon. “This will actually keep
the animal shelter going for a month.”
“I hope it helps you out,” Lt. Col Gillrie said simply.
Gillrie said a fundraising team approached Gimli area businesses to help support
the effort. “The town and community have been a fantastic supporter of the air
cadet program,” Gillrie said. “We thought this was a good way to show our
appreciation.”
Key players on the pet-loving fundraising team included Chief Warrant Officer
Ron Elson, Padre Trina Finkle, Second Lt. Anna McNeil, Chief Petty Officer Jim
Thom and Ordinary Seaman Dave Dubchak.
Major Kevin Yetman summed up the effort. “It’s heart-warming for us to be able
to do something for the animal shelter,” he said.
Granger says the shelter relies on cash donations to pay veterinary bills and
purchase food for the cats and dogs housed at the shelter on Tudor Lane in the
industrial park. There were 10 dogs and five cats at the shelter Wednesday,
including Bear who’s become the shelter’s mascot.
Granger takes Bear, an 11-year-old mixed breed, to regular Friday visits to the
Betel personal care home in Gimli. Bear is also star of the show when Granger
makes presentations to schoolchildren.
While Bear has become a permanent fixture, Granger is always looking for people
willing to adopt animals from the shelter. He found homes for three dogs last
week, but there always seem to be new tenants at the shelter. People looking to
support the shelter financially will receive a receipt for tax purposes, as
Gimli Animal Shelter is recognized by Revenue Canada as a registered charity.
For more information about the shelter or to adopt a pet, contact Granger at
642-4775.
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