C4P animal rescue fundraiser not pressing pause

This time last year, Laurel Fox and Jessica Crider of Gunbarrel were preparing their annual fundraising yard sale for the organization they run - Cause4Paws (www.facebook.com/C4P.ARF). It was early in the pandemic and seemed reasonable to think the multi-day event would still be on, but might take place just a little later than usual as the world got its bearings.

Through the large-scale yard sale, C4P whose motto is "It takes nothing from a human to be kind to an animal," has raised more than $20,000 for animal rescue organizations. The numerous rescue group recipients get the animals off the streets, provide them with medical care, food, and ultimately find them loving homes.

The fundraiser's biggest supporter had always been Fox's mother, who passed away last February. Her mother's beloved dog, who had been absorbed into the couple's dog-loving home, died six months later. A very difficult third loss followed; that was Ruby, Fox and Crider's nearly 16 year-old French bulldog.

COVID craziness heaped on top of the grief and suddenly the sale seemed doomed to miss a year. "I thought I'm not going to do it," Fox said, "but people kept donating and Jessica kept saying, 'No, we're not going to just acquire all this stuff in the garage. We're going to bring it in and we're going to sell it.'"

In normal years, Fox and Crider's kind neighbors would move their cars from the Twin Lakes cul-de-sac making room for beautifully staged tables and tents displaying donated goods for sale. But in-person sales were not a wise way to gather last year and Fox, a nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital, knew that better than most people. So the event adapted to the times and went online, garnering a great deal of interest from Facebook Marketplace buyers.

Posting bicycles, ski gear, quilts, small furniture and art with detailed descriptions and photographs, the collected gem items were snatched up by buyers. It took a great deal of communication to coordinate with interested buyers for once-overs and pick-ups from their front deck. Some valuable items, original artwork in particular, were shipped.

But many cash and Venmo payments later, the sale had collected nearly $3,100, all going to One Dog at a Time Colorado (www.odaatcolorado.com), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that finds forever homes for unwanted dogs who were destined for euthanasia. Run by Cody Riley, owner of The Burrowing Owl, a vegan restaurant and bar in Colorado Springs, the dog rescue group is normally funded entirely by donations from family and friends.

While the most recent C4P sale brought in less than prior three and four-day events, Fox said, "We were floored....We had no idea that it would get to that." It was admittedly a lot of work, but well worth it.

Smaller items donated for last year's sale still fill half of their two-car garage. They didn't make it online, because the effort to photograph and post them wasn't proportionate to their sale price. But this year, there will be a real yard sale in August or September, in the fresh air.

"I can't wait until we can do a live sale and have some social activity," Fox said.

For the upcoming sixth annual sale, C4P is collecting desirable keepsakes and operable items such as dish and glassware sets, small appliances, current designer and children's clothing, books, lamps, small tables, quilts, pillows, drapes, art and frames, sporting goods, toys and games, and of course, pet gear.

There was a COVID-induced pet buying spree as hunkered down people had time to train and love on their new family members. But that trend has slowed significantly, possibly in light of a renewed busy-ness, along with economic and housing challenges. So what lies ahead is uncertain.

Checking online with local shelters and rescues, it is evident the need to find homes for surrendered and abandoned dogs still exists. The pet rescue organization to receive this year's C4P yard sale proceeds will be selected soon.

You're encouraged to contact Fox and Crider by sending an email to LaurelJFox@aol.com and, if you'd like, please include photos to be sure they can accept your donation. Both drop off and pick up are available.