Get ready to ‘pawty’
Annual Pounds for Pounds Animals Charities fundraiser collects food and donations.
Andrea Smith of Citrus Springs has been holding a Pounds for Pounds Pawty in her yard for four years to collect pet food. This year, she is moving the event to Rainbow Springs Art in Dunnellon gallery on Feb. 7. Last year, she collected 3,116 pounds of pet food. [Photo courtesy Andrea Smith]
For four years, Andrea Smith staged a fundraiser in her Citrus Springs yard to collect pet food and donations to feed hungry cats, dogs and other pets. This year, on Feb. 7, she is collaborating with Rainbow Springs Art in Dunnellon gallery for the fifth annual fundraiser for her nonprofit Pounds for Pounds Animal Charities.
Smith and gallery members are inviting the public to the “pawty” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the gallery lawn at 20826 Walnut St., Dunnellon. Those who attend are asked to bring Purina dog or cat food or a check that will be donated to Citrus County Animal Services.
Twenty-two vendors, mostly who do arts and crafts, plan to attend. Barbecue, popcorn and funnel cake will be for sale, and singer and guitarist Barry Denham will perform.
Gallery member and woodworker Steve Burden is among the artists who have displayed their work at Smith’s events in the past.
“I do it just to help the animals,” he said.
Outgoing President Kathy Sage said the gallery is working with Smith because Smith “outgrew her space.”
Smith said last year, her Pounds for Pounds Pawty collected 3,116 pounds of pet food. And, of course, she’d like to collect more this year.
The gallery is participating, Sage said, “because it’s a community-based event that needed support. … We think it’s a worthy cause.”
Smith said she’s grateful to work with the gallery.
She started the fundraiser when she turned 60. Instead of participating in a typical birthday celebration, she decided she wanted to give something back to the community — and to the community’s pets, specifically. Over the previous four years, she has collected 8,000 pounds of pet food.
Smith’s birthday is Feb. 6, and this year she turns 64. She said her daughter and granddaughter will be visiting from Maryland and, “If we’re all smiling at the end of the day, it will be a good day for me.”
Smith said some dogs will be available for adoption from Citrus County Animal Services at the event, and some kittens also might be available.
Area photographer Julie Mancini will offer a “kissing booth,” where attendees can have their photos snapped with a cuddly pet.
There will be silent auctions for gift baskets, a 50/50 raffle and a comedian emcee running the auctions. The art will include woodworking, glass art, paintings and hand-sewn art.
Smith said she does the fundraiser “for my love of animals.” She has six cats at home.
“When we started, I wanted to unite the community and make them aware of the needs of animals. There are so many feral communities,” she said.
She added that she finds the work rewarding but could use some volunteers.
Citrus County Animal Services oversees a food pantry of pet food for people who might not be able to afford to feed their pets. Some of Smith’s collected food goes to the pantry or to other needs of Animal Services.
Part of Pounds for Pounds’ mission statement says, “Together we can create a ripple of compassion and care, ensuring that no pet goes hungry and every tail has a chance to wag.”
The art gallery is accepting donations of Purina cat and dog food or checks ahead of the “Pawty.” So is Smith. Purina cat and dog food can be purchased online from such places as Tractor Supply in Dunnellon and held there for Smith to pick up or to be sent to the gallery. Tractor Supply is at 11242 Williams St. The donations also will be collected the day of the event. Checks may be mailed to Smith at 10847 N. Orva Drive, Citrus Springs, FL 34434.
Meanwhile, the gallery is hosting its “Community Pop-Up Pet Show” exhibit, which will be on display through March 5. Area artists have contributed pieces for the show and guests will be able to vote for their favorite pet portrait, which will win a $150 “People’s Choice Award.” A reception for new gallery artists is from 4 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 7 and free “nibbles and sips” will be offered.
The Rainbow Springs gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday and Monday.
To learn more, call (352) 763-4048 or visit rainbowspringsart.com. Text Smith at (941) 224-8145 or find the Pounds for Pounds Florida Facebook page.
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