News & Events
News
Macaroni Fundraiser Provides Care and Comfort for Animals in Need
Article from Bristol-WarrenPatch by Esther Trneny
 Friends of the Bristol Animal Shelter welcomed hungry guests to the Bristol Train of Artillery on State Street on Saturday evening for their fourth annual all-you-can-eat Macaroni Dinner.
The Macaroni Dinner fundraiser is one of two large fundraisers that the Friends hold each year, (the other is the annual Mardi Gras Ball which will be held on February 11, 2012, so save the date) to help support the Bristol Animal Shelter.
Guests enjoyed a delicious supper and drinks, and the chance to win raffle items when they donated canned food for the shelter animals. They could also purchase raffle tickets, try for a win in the 50/50 raffle or buy one of the wide selection of "flea market" items available.
Friends volunteer, Debbie Coccio, said there are currently four dogs and fifteen cats and kittens living at the shelter, one of the few "no-kill" animal shelters in Rhode Island.
Diners at the event were unanimous in their praise for the Bristol Animal Shelter, and the good work accomplished by the Friends.
"I'm a big supporter of the event and the shelter, and all the good work they do," said Bristol Town Council member, Mary Parella, who was attending the dinner with her nephew.
"Every year we attend the dinner," said Liza Casalino, who was enjoying a meal with her extended family. "We're huge supporters of the animal shelter."
Jeannette Cabral was at the dinner with her husband and their two daughters, and said they make sure to attend and support the shelter.
"We believe in the cause," Cabral said.
Coccio said the Friends are always looking for new ways to raise money for the shelter, and they are hopeful that next year will finally see the beginning of the long-awaited new shelter project.
"The Capital Projects Committee is still working with the town to hammer out final details, but we're hoping to definitely break ground next year," she said.
As part of that project, the Friends are kicking off a Capital Campaign by offering pavers for sale that will become part of the walkways to the the new Bristol Animal Care and Adoption Center.
They are also accepting donations in honor or memory of a beloved pet or much-loved family member throughout the holiday season and beyond.
Coccio said she hopes that when people consider making donations to charity organizations this Thanksgiving and Christmas, they will also consider the pets of those families in need, as well as the animals waiting for forever homes, by making donations of pet food and other necessities like blankets and towels.
For more information about the Capital Campaign, or to make a donation to help support the Bristol Animal Shelter, please visit their website at www.friendsoftheBristolAnimalShelter.org
Bristol Animal Shelter Benefits from Stylist's Pet Project
Article from EastBayRI.com by Eric Dickervitz
 BRISTOL—It averages out to about one haircut every 15 minutes, said stylist, Patrick Lomantini of the 50 haircuts he plans to give each day. On Friday, Mr. Lomantini took over a chair at New Leaf Studio on State Street where he planned to cut hair and raise money for the Bristol Animal Shelter.
Rhode Island is the fifth stop along a 50 day, 50 state tour in which the hair stylist plans to raise money and awareness for animal rescue organizations such as the Bristol Animal Shelter and the Humane Society.
“What the Humane Society does for animals really opened my eyes,” he said, stopping briefly in between cuts to talk about his mission. “I’ve always loved animals and am amazed at what the volunteers do at the Humane Society.”
After setting a world record last year in which he cut continuously for 72 hours to benefit the Humane Society in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas, Mr. Lomantini decided to spread his word by cutting his way across America.
“I Googled animal shelters in Providence,” he said, in preparing for his venture. “Bristol was the first to pop up.” After contacting the Bristol Animal Shelter, a member of the Friends of Bristol Animal Shelter, Debbie Coccio, arranged to hold the cut-a-thon at her cousin’s, Amy Coccio, salon.
On Monday, Mr. Lomantini began his venture in Maine, making his way through Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and into Bristol on Friday.
“I thought Bristol was part of Providence,” Mr. Lomantini said, based on his Google search. Once he learned that the Bristol Animal Shelter was planning to build a new facility, he didn’t hesitate to help.
For each cut, people are asked to donate $20.
“Some give more,” he said. “And some just donate without getting a cut.”
With 67 people on the waiting list for Friday, Mr. Lomantini tried to limit customers to trims and basic cuts. Jazzy Nguyen, owner of Jazzy’s Nails and Spa in Warren was an exception.
In December, Ms. Nguyen’s cat, Ginxy, went missing for three or four weeks, during snowstorms and freezing temperatures. “I prayed that she’d come back,” Ms. Nguyen said. And she did. “In my culture, if you really want something, you give up the best thing that you have. For a woman, that is the hair,” she said.
Ms. Nguyen sat in the chair with her dark hair flowing down her back and asked that Mr. Lomantini cut it all off.
“I didn’t expect that,” he said.
Ms. Nguyen said she would donate her hair to Locks of Love, an organization that makes hair pieces for those undergoing chemotherapy.
Mr. Lomantini plans to be at New Leaf Studio until 7 or 8 p.m., before heading to Hartford, Connecticut on Saturday.
*Update from Friends - Patrick ended up cutting 57 heads of hair and overall raised a total of $1,600 for the animals! To date, RI has raised the most money of any of the other states. You can follow Patrick's journey thru the States on his blog lomantiniathesalon.
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Events/Fundraisers
Make Your Reservation ONLINE
Tickets will not be issued; reservations will be held at the event.
Online Reservation = $78pp
* Reservations can also be purchased for $75pp by mailing a check to:
Friends of the Bristol Animal Shelter
11 Broad Common Road
Unit 155
Bristol, RI 02809
or by visiting the Bristol Animal Shelter located at 10 Minturn Farm Road in Bristol. |
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