Unforgettable Fire
After 27 months ARF actually had a discussion about who has extra scissors at their house and where can we find a floral shop to donate the ribbon needed to be cut at our Grand Opening.
The period since November 23, 2008 has at times seemed to have gone by in a blink of an eye or as slow as molasses. ARF has been through many successes and hardships along the way including buying our long leased land, finding homes for the animals saved from the fire, demolishing the old shelter, designing and building a new shelter, fundraising the money needed, and saying farewell to our friends Larry Palmeri and Bailey. We are tired and drained. Our goal was set and then finally, as a team, it was met.
ARF’s friendship with Mayor Festa of Plymouth, Mayor Dunn of Wolcott, and Mayor Ward of Bristol has flourished. Groups that helped us including The Old School Social Club, Farmingbury Women’s Club, Leo’s of Terryville, The Wolcott, Waterbury, and New Haven Pageant Systems, Alyscias Pet Project, The Polish American Club of Bristol, The ASPCA, The Wiederhold Foundation, Terryville and Wolcott Fire Departments, and many other groups of volunteers will never be forgotten for their help. A very special Thank you goes to Carl R Sellberg for the largest single donation ARF has ever received!
Businesses such as the Print Shop, Boulder Ridge, Best Built Shed, Exershar, Wolcott Lanes, Samson Machine, Chute Gates, Clam Digger, Rockcats, Yankee Harley, Wolcott and Bristol VCA Vet, Pups in a Tub, Party Plus, Rent a Tent, Bozzuttos, Adams, Volvo/Subaru, Soul Sound Revue, Clarion Hotel, Robert Green Associates, LLC,
Walshs IGA, and especially all the children in the schools who did fundraiser after fundraiser will be remembered and praised.
The media has been unbelievable in the ability to help us. Scot Haney, Teresa LaBarbera, Brad Davis, Renee from Clear Channel, the King of Culture, Tom Chute, The Republican American, The Bristol Press, The Register Citizen, The Wolcott Community News, The Plymouth Connection, and The Prospect Pages have all taken active rolls in leading the awareness efforts. Michael Bruce, Joe Fitzpatrick, WATR 1320 AM, WZBG 97.3 FM, WDRC AM and all 7 Clear Channel Stations did specials on us. We even had two documentaries shot and were featured in a TV commercial!! ARFCT.ORG has had over 11,000 hits so far in less than a year thanks to the webmaster Al Pist (aka Al Ouimet). I’m sure I forgot a few groups and businesses. I didn’t mention many people’s name on purpose because there wouldn’t be room to name everyone. The only safe way to say it is that none of this would have been possible without EVERYBODYS help. Let’s not forget that we accomplished this during the recession. Fundraising for almost every charity was down the past few years while ARF’s fundraising soared.
Usually as a “very amateur” writer I can find the words to express how we at ARF feel about all that has happened since the fire in regards to the help, passion, and kindness displayed to us. I’m having trouble though. We wanted what you wanted; to help the dogs and cats. The best way to put it is ARF will be saying thank you to all who has helped by not letting you or the animals down.
Once ARF is re-open and we see all the rescued dog and cats we will all be thankful that ARF was saved. We saved it
for the animals to have a second chance. We did it for the animals and they were the ones who will benefit. It’s about them and always will be.
