HOULTON, Maine — Since reports of the fire that destroyed the Ark Animal Sanctuary March 12, community support has been overwhelming.
A bake sale fundraiser and silent auction was held Saturday morning outside the Town and Country Clothing and Footwear to help raise money for the group. Organized by Kathryn Knapp, the event raised a whopping $12,000 for the Ark.
“When I saw that the Ark Animal Sanctuary had burned, taking the lives of 16 precious cats, I just couldn’t believe it.” Knapp said. “I’ve known Lorraine Monfils president and creator of the Ark Animal Sanctuary personally for almost eight years now after adopting two cats from her. I immediately thought ‘What can I do?’”
Knapp said when she saw the Ark had canceled its Saturday bake sale, she offered to step in and help.
“When I saw that they had canceled their usual every-two-week bake sale I thought maybe I can set up in front of my family’s business, Town & Country Clothing and Footwear, right down the street from Lorraine’s business Hollywood Pet Salon where the sale is usually held,” Knapp said. “So I contacted the Ark to make sure it was OK to offer. They said ‘yes,’ so without hesitation I posted on Facebook to see if anyone would be interested in baking an item for that Saturday.”
Less than an hour later, support started pouring in from a number of sources. Kathryn Harnish, of Took A Leap Farm, stepped forward and agreed to help run the event and a Facebook page was created to solicit auction items.
“We both were completely overwhelmed with the response from local residents and local businesses,” Knapp said. “We had over $2,500 worth of silent auction items donated and by Friday afternoon we had to make an announcement that no more baked goods were needed after the huge response we received.”
A raffle was also created for a 5-day trip for two to Cancun, Mexico, which was donated to the group.
“With wind and snow and sleet (Saturday) morning, I anticipated a lower amount of people to make it out,” Knapp said. “But before we could get all of our tables out front of the store we already had people coming for baked goods and for those wanting tickets for Cancun.”
Knapp said at the end of the day when they tallied the final numbers, she was amazed to see they raised more than $12,000. By 11 a.m. Tuesday, all 250 tickets were sold. The winner will be drawn this Saturday, as the Ark hosts another bake sale, this time at its usual place in front of Hollywood Pet Salon.
“Both Kathryn and I are overwhelmed with the results from Saturday,” she said. “We wish to thank all of the businesses and people who donated silent auction items; the people who baked goods for the benefit; to all the volunteers who braved the weather; and to everyone who came out to support the Ark. We are overwhelmed by their generosity that day.”
The Ark Animal Sanctuary can be contacted at 532-7387 and donations can be mailed to 70 Main St. Houlton, Maine 04730 or via Paypal: keeper@arksanctuary.com. The group’s website is www.arksanctuary.com.
