Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/329100
To date, $545,000 has been raised, including a challenge pledge of $100,000 to cap ARC's campaign goal of $800,000. When asked what motivated them to give ARC such a generous gift, Joanna, ARC's board chairwoman, replied in the release, "We cannot shelter or adopt our way out of this situation." She is referring "to the stark reality that many thousands of animals crowd shelters and are euthanized each year due to a lack of space, funding and resources," the release adds. All funds received for the campaign will be used to start the renovations needed for a fully equipped spay-and-neuter clinic, the release emphasizes. "We are very conscious of spending our donors' money wisely and are focused on accomplishing our mission," said ARC Executive Director Gisele Pintchuck in the release. ARC has been accepted as a Humane Alliance organization, a process that has required extensive due diligence, the release points out. "The Humane Alliance is a nationally rec- ognized nonprofit organization that focuses on high-volume, high-quality, low-cost com- panion animal sterilization," the release says. ARC is one of 120 clinics in the U.S. "that have adopted its tried and tested clinic model," which increases procedures and low- ers expenses, the release adds. For more information, call 957-1955, Ext. 2. The Sarasota chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union will host its third annual Flag Day celebration from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, in Five Points Park in downtown Sarasota, the organization has announced. The event will feature live music, distribution of free flags, chalk drawings, honor guards, magicians "and a bare minimum of politicians speaking!" a news release promises. Staff Photographer Norman Schimmel captured the above Flag Day celebration reminder in 2012. FLAG DAY CELEBRATION Sarasota News Leader June 13, 2014 Page 81