Article Contributed on: 6/30/2009 8:39:38 PM
Foundation has raised nearly 25 percent of $3 million goal
Speakers at a June 30 ground breaking ceremony for Table Mountain Animal Center were grateful for the shade under the pavilion roof at Jefferson County Fairgrounds, where city and county officials, staff members, volunteers and donors met to celebrate the future building, which is expected to be completed by fall 2010.
TMAC Foundation board president Judy George welcomed a crowd of about 75 (not counting the adoptable dogs) and saluted volunteers and donors. She said the advocates of animal care and members of the 501 (c) 3 foundation had established new opportunities for individuals or businesses to donate funding to the building project.
According to the capital campaign chair, Beth Parish, the foundation has raised $730,000 in pledges toward a $3 million goal.
Parish announced that a significant donation in the high five-figure range, was left to the shelter in the form of a charitable remainder trust in the name of Alice L.Lacey. The funds will go toward the capital campagin and partially to help establish an endowment for future operations.
Parish said, "This will move us closer to our fundraising goal."
Currently many TMAC volunteers serve as off-site foster families to care for animals due to the limited space at the 33-year-old building on Service Road in Golden.
"This fall we will unveil a central donor wall which will be to appreciate $5,000 donors and next spring we will begin our capital campaign," said Parish.
Patrick Goff, president of the TMAC board of directors and deputy city manager of Wheat Ridge, explained that because the move to the new location will be less associated with Table Mountain geographically, the new name for the future center would be Foothills Animal Shelter.
"The animals cared for at this site will have the best view in town," said Goff, referring to the building plans that call for a single-story building designed by Weitz/Sholar, so as not to block the mountain view for fairground visitors and nearby residents.
Several volunteers brought dogs from the shelter that were up for adoption. PJ Jones of Golden said her charge, named Clarize, was referred to as a "pound mix."
"She was dropped off at the shelter, we are just guessing she's about 18 months," Jones said.
Jana Rodriguez, of Westminster, brought girls in her Girl Scout Troop 686.
"The girls are all animal lovers. We have helped out at TMAC by planting flowers in the planters and bringing in items on TMAC's wish list. It's been their favorite project," Rodriguez said.
Volunteer Deb Poskie, of Golden, brought her daughters and their friends. She said a recent trend in birthday parties was to request that donations to TMAC be made in lieu of birthday gifts.
up next
What: Dogs & Hogs, a poker run and silent auction to benefit TMAC, all bikes and cars welcome
When: July 11 9:30 a.m. registration, noon festivities at Top Gun Motorsports; 3 p.m. silent auction ends
Where: Ride starts at TMAC, 4105 Youngfield Service Road, Golden; ends at Top Gun Motorsports, 5700 Lincoln Drive, Denver
Cost: $20 single rider or driver; $30 for two; $10 additional
More info: Visit www.topgun-motorsports.com or www.tablemountainanimals.org