Clam bake benefits local animals
Eagerly awaiting their meal at the Wooster Inn are the pups that live with Cathy and Rich Ammlug: Grace, left, Cordell and Mustang. Give Pets a Chance will host its first clam bake on the patio of the Wooster Inn.
Give Pets a Chance will host its first clam bake on Saturday, Sept. 15 from 6-9 p.m. on the patio of the Wooster Inn, 801 E. Wayne Ave., Wooster. Music will be provided by area disc jockey Joe Reynolds.
Board member Connie Storck said, “It’s the perfect way to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall.”
The evening’s menu will include New England clam chowder, Certified Angus Beef sirloin fillets, middle-neck clams, side dishes and desserts. There will be a cash bar and an original specialty cocktail.
Individual tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door. Group tickets may be purchased at a reduced rate. A table of eight costs $300.
“You get one and a half people for free,” board president Richard Storck said.
Tickets are available at the Wooster Inn and Lucky Records or by calling 330-201-1757.
“Give Pets a Chance is an all-volunteer group,” Connie Storck said. “That means that 95 percent of the money raised goes directly to help animals.”
Thus far this year they have helped provide medical care to 135 animals. Since their inception in 2006, the group has worked with dozens of veterinary clinics in Northeast Ohio to help over 2,300 pets.
“We work to help animals in many ways,” Connie Storck said. “We help pay vet bills for sick or injured companion animals whose owners are financially stressed. We help with the care of service animals for disabled people who need our financial assistance.”
The organization also has a Good Samaritan Program for people who find an ill or injured animal to ensure needed care is provided until the owner is found or the animal is adopted.
The Storcks explained there are many reasons an individual or family may need financial assistance. Give Pets a Chance is often the only stopgap measure available to help keep a companion animal with his or her humans.
Kristin Marie Case’s dog, Shadow, had a life-threatening infection when she turned to Give Pets a Chance. “We were desperate for funds for a life-saving operation,” she said.
With donated funds Shadow received the care she needed. “The surgery saved her life. She’s 9 years old now and going strong. We are so grateful for their help and support,” Case said.
Sheri A. Kolley turned to Give Pets a Chance when her Siberian husky Rhett started having seizures. “He had 16 seizures within a 24-hour time frame,” she said. “I can’t thank them enough for stepping up and helping me.”
Rhett was diagnosed as epileptic and is now on medication. “He’s doing great,” Kolley said.
Anyone interested in more information, making a donation or seeking assistance with medical care for a pet may call 330-201-1757. Find Give Pets a Chance online at www.givepetsachanceus.org/ and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GivePetsAChance-Inc-166258383420916/.
Rick Storck said, “The clam bake is going to be a fun, relaxing evening. There will be no raffles or baskets or anything else. We’ll listen to music, have great food and enjoy the company of friends.”
The Storcks said the evening is for humans who love animals; animals are not invited to this event.