2 kittens prompt compassionate donation from Lariccias

YOUNGSTOWN

The Cat Ladies Society needed a miracle to get the funds necessary to finish renovating their new shelter on Mahoning Ave., and a miracle found them.

Tony and Mary Lariccia of Boardman were reading Tuesday’s Vindicator — Tony at work, while Mary read at the kitchen table — and the picture of the kitten in the story “Looking for a miracle” reminded them so much of their own cat, Ricky, that they immediately wanted to help.

“My husband found Ricky on a cold, winter night, and he’s been with us ever since,” Mary Lariccia explained. “We picked the paper up and responded to it.” She said her husband thought the $5,000 the society needed was such a small amount to help the cats in the shelter that they decided to give more. They gave $20,000.

Kimm Koocher, the society’s owner, said they can now finish renovating the new shelter at 2217 Mahoning Ave., as well as catch up on their vet bills. “We’re very, very happy,” she said.