Bunco For Rescues Will Benefit Local Animal Agencies

By Michelle Colesanti

“Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.” This phrase holds true for our four-legged friends too, which is why the Osprey Observer team has chosen to help three local non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations that help stray and surrendered animals to find new, loving homes.

The Osprey Observer will host a Bunco for Rescues on Tuesday, May 6. All proceeds will benefit the following rescue efforts:

Friends of Hillsborough County Animal Services (FOHCAS) was formed to help address the challenges at-risk animals in the county’s shelter face daily.  Monetary donations are directly used for the animals since it is entirely a volunteer organization with zero paid staff. For more information, visit www.friendsofhcas.

RVR Horse Rescue’s mission is to intervene, rescue, rehabilitate and provide sanctuary for neglected, abused, abandoned and traumatized horses and farm animals. It takes action to save horses being sold for slaughter and keeps track of all adopted horses to ensure their living conditions remain good for the rest of their lives. For more information, visit rvrhorserescue.org.

Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort, Inc. (CARE), a no-kill animal shelter for abused and abandoned cats and dogs. Most of the animals that come to CARE need just a few weeks of special care before they are ready for adoption. Others, who are older or sick or have suffered extreme trauma, become CARE ambassadors and find a special home at CARE for the rest of their lives. CARE also participates with Hillsborough County Voucher Program to offer a low-cost spay/neuter clinic. For more information, visit www.careshelter.org.

All money raised will be split between the rescues. The bunco will take place at The Bridges Assisted Living and Retirement Community’s Cambridge Clubhouse, located at 11350 Bloomingdale Ave. in Riverview. It will start at 6 p.m. with food, a social hour, raffle, silent auction and a 50/50.

The event is sponsored by Tammy Holmberg from Chick-fil-A, Rob Silver from Dynamic Painting and the Kohls volunteers.

Bunco will begin promptly at 7 p.m. with prizes given out after the game ends. The cost of the Bunco is $20. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go back to the charities.

For every bag or box of dog or cat food guests bring to the event, they will receive 10 raffle tickets. The food collected will be given to smaller local rescues that foster animals.

To purchase tickets, contact Michelle Colesanti at 657-2418 or michelle@ospreyobserver.com.