Members of Arrowhead Animal Rescue (AAR) have been busy trying to earn some money to build a new animal shelter. The most recent effort was the glorious “Fur Ball Fundraiser” held at the Wunderbar. Pictured here is AAR event coordinators (from left) Judy Bowman, Bill Curtis and Judy Curtis, seated, with Wunderbar owner Terri Downing and head chef Chris Callender. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
The July 14 Fur Ball fundraiser held at the Wunderbar was a howling success.
One could say it was almost purrrrfect.
“We took in $3,602, but our expenses were around $600,” said Judy Curtis, one of the chief organizers of the event held for Arrowhead Animal Rescue (AAR).
“We are trying to raise enough money to build a new animal shelter,” added Bill Curtis, Judy’s husband.
Donations from area businesses and individuals were featured in a silent auction or were raffled off. Chris Gillis and Thomas Stamps played music for the event and the Wunderbar donated two-thirds of the cost for meals back to ARR, Judy said. “They also didn’t charge us a rental fee and donated a gift basket as well. They are super, super people,” Judy said.
The current dog pound down in the recreation park that is located near the dock and old power plant will have to be moved sooner or later. This year the state awarded $2 million to the DNR and city of Grand Marais to re-do the dock, parking lot, and the rubble rock break walk, among other things, and there will be no place for the dog pound, so efforts are under way to find land and then build a new shelter.
“So far we have raised about $65,000,” said Bill.
Together the Curtises, along with Judy Bowman and Boreal Access executive director of media Lisa Bauer, organized the Fur Ball fundraiser.
We are always looking for AAR volunteers,” quipped Judy.
AAR meets the last Tuesday of every month at 4 p.m. at the Cook County Senior Center.
Valerie Marasco, Cook County director office of Emergency Management and public information, will speak at the Aug. 28 meeting. “The meetings are open to the public,” Bill said, adding he hoped some new animal lovers would attend the meeting and see if it’s something they would like to take part in.
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