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Date: 9/5/2022
MONSON – Get ready for some fall fun with this year’s Cruise for Critters car show taking place on Sept. 24 at the Westview Farms Creamery at 109 East Hill Rd. from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Sponsored by Al Widlan’s Service Connection, this fundraiser is to benefit pets in need at Second Chance Animal Services, a nonprofit animal welfare organization that helps over 40,000 pets each year through adoption services, full-service veterinary care, spay/neuter services, community and educational outreach programs, training and a pet food pantry.
Service Connection owner Al Widlan has been hosting this car show for 10 years to help pets in Massachusetts. “This event is made for dogs in need,” Widlan replied. “Although it shows cars, my desire is the dogs so I want to do as much as I possibly can. It’s a great day for a great cause.”
The event will also have a crafts fair, pumpkin picking, a corn maze and a Halloween Barktacular kids’ games. Spare Parts will be on hand to provide entertainment and attendees can take a chance to win some great raffle prizes. It’s free to spectators and there’s a $20 show car entry fee with every dollar supporting pets in need. In case of bad weather, the rain date is Oct. 1.
CEO Sheryl Blancato of Second Chance Animal Services told Reminder Publishing it’s been difficult for them to keep up with providing the services they do. As the economy is taking a downturn, she said, people are still struggling with post COVID-19-related issues. Rising inflation has been forcing pet owners to make difficult decisions, Blancato explained. That may mean giving up their pet, or if they can keep their pet, worrying about how they will care for it. It’s been an interesting time at Second Chance, she said, but they have an amazing staff.
“This fundraiser supports Second Chance programs that can make a difference to pets here in our community,” Blancato responded. “We are really working hard to try to increase donations to meet the needs of the pets seeking our help. Our main focus is to keep pets in their homes whenever possible.”
She continued, “We’re still looking for sponsors and vendors. We would love to have more people involved. The more sponsors we have, the more people that come out, the more cars that come out, the better we do which means we can help out more animals.”
For more information on sponsorships or to become a vendor, visit secondchanceanimals.org/events/cruise.