Presents for Paws event raises funds for local animal rescues

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR | The fourth annual Presents for Paws event was held on Dec. 5, 2015, and raised over $3,800 with a bake sale and basket auction featuring over 135 baskets. Several local animal rescues were present at the event, including Close to Home Animal Rescue, Friends of Fido, Paw Platoon Animal Rescue, Cats are People Too, Angels for Animals and Animal Pawtectors. All proceeds benefitted local rescue organizations. Event committee members included, front, from left, Melanie Mascioli, chairman; April Morris Prest, owner of Sit Means Sit; Melissa Simko; and event sponsor Ken Kemmer; and in back, Kathy Bukovinsky and Kate Haplea. Marlene Gerhardstein and Karla Farina Dooley also are committee members. The event featured free photos with Santa for pets of all sizes. Plans are being made for the 2016 event, set for Dec. 3 at Sit Means Sit, 1330 Seaborn St., Suite 6, Mineral Ridge. For information, find Presents for Paws on Facebook.