Drink and Draw for the Dogs
By Katie McFadden
It’s time to enjoy an evening of beer, barks and art! On Sunday, August 13, local animal rescues Zion’s Mission and Sasha’s Mission are teaming up to host Drink and Draw for the Dogs, a fun night out for a good cause.
With Animal Care Center of New York at full capacity of potential pets looking for a home, the work of local rescues like Zion’s Mission Animal Rescue and Sasha’s Mission Animal Rescue is more important than ever. The two nonprofit organizations have been operating for several years to help animals, especially dogs, who may have been abandoned, abused or neglected, rehabilitating them or providing care, and finding them loving homes. And often, they team up to work together.
Just last month, they came to the rescue of Molly, a senior dog that was saved from some harsh conditions at a home in Broad Channel and was taken to an ACC facility. Zion’s and Sasha’s Missions quickly adopted her from ACC. Molly required some medical treatments for an upper respiratory infection. She was also spayed, had dental surgery and treatments for skin issues. Molly is safe, on the mend and will be looking for a home when she’s ready, but all of that care comes at a cost, and local rescues depend on donations from fellow animal lovers to keep their work going and to cover the costs of care and treatments.
That’s why on Sunday, August 13, they’re hosting a fun event for the community to meet the folks behind both rescues, to meet some of their rescue dogs looking for a home and to enjoy a good time drinking and drawing while fundraising for Zion’s Mission and Sasha’s Mission. The event will take place at the Rockaway Brewing Company at 415 Beach 72nd Street from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 and include use of drawing materials, two free drinks and a free raffle ticket for a chance at a prize.
Drink and Draw for Dogs will be the first physical fundraiser for Zion’s Mission and Sasha’s Mission, which have mostly relied on direct donations. It’s all the idea of Zion’s Mission volunteer Maribel Cosme- Vitagliani, who has experience operating fundraising events from working at a museum. “I was inspired to do this for the rescue because right now, the city has so many animals in need and shelters and rescues are running out of space daily. Small local rescues typically ask for donations on a case-by-case basis for emergency rescues and it just isn’t enough,” she said. “With this, I have three main goals. One is to raise funds to help pay for these large medical bills that we have accrued with recent intakes between both Sasha’s and Zion’s Missions. Second is to gain more local support from the community to find fosters and other local volunteers who can help because both of these rescues are foster based and right now, we just don’t have enough fosters to do the intake we would like to do. And third is to spread awareness of both rescues to the community so we can let more people know about the dogs and other animals we have for adoption,” Cosme- Vitagliani said. “So this event being in person and showing off the rescues face to face and the work that we do is just as important as raising money.”
Animal-themed drawings are encouraged and there will even be a live model for inspiration—Zero! “Zero is a one-year-old, 22 pound Pitbull/ Jack Russel mix. She is deaf and she was rescued around Beach 16th Street in Far Rockaway,” Cosme-Vitagliani said. Zero will be on site and other Zion and Sasha rescues will be highlighted in hopes of inspiring others to foster or give them a permanent home. Folks can also bring their own dogs for inspiration, as long as they’re leashed.
Plus, for those who may not be artistically inclined, Brooklyn-based comic book artist, Sean Von Gorman will be on hand to offer some guidance on their dog and animal-inspired drawings. Bringing some of his own artistic expertise, Von Gorman has worked on titles such as “Toe Tag Riot” and “The Pedestrian.” Art supplies will be on hand for guests to use or folks can bring their own.
In addition to the cost of tickets, donations will be accepted directly at the event if people want to donate more. There will also be additional raffle tickets for sale to help support the cause. Among the prizes will be a delivery box from Acana Pet Food, and others. They will also have Zion’s Mission pins available for sale. So those joining are encouraged to bring cash, buy Venmo and Paypal will also be accepted for donations.
So come on out next Sunday! “It’s going to be a fun night. You’re going to enjoy music, drink, laughter and dogs and we hope people come in order to support the animals in need in our community. One night of fun for one person can help fund a surgery for a dog in need,” Cosme-Vitagliani said. “We really depend on the local community and people who are likeminded and want to help save animals in any way they can. Sometimes that means $5, and sometimes it’s more, but we’re grateful for any support we get.”
For tickets to the Drink and Draw for Dogs, head to: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/zionsmissionsashasmissiondrinkandraw
For more information about Zion’s Mission or to donate directly, check out:
For more information on Sasha’s Mission or to donate directly, check out:
sashasmission.wix.com/sashasmission
