By Josh Troy
Clarksdale Advocate
It takes a community coming together to make Clarksdale Animal Rescue Effort and Shelter have all the resources it needs. That united effort was displayed when a Fat Tuesday Fundraiser raised several thousands of dollars for CARES. Two hundred and fifty red beans and rice and cornbread plates were sold at $10 apiece, with a total of $2,500 raised. The plates were picked up during a drive-through Tuesday night at the Cutrer Mansion. CARES Executive Director Paige Daugherty said Clarksdale and Coahoma County residents gave generous donations in addition to buying plates of food, making money raised to several thousands of dollars.
“Our community is the best,” she said. “We really love serving in Clarksdale and seeing the best people. I feel like people that love their animals love having a shelter to come out to every single time and again and again. It’s amazing and inspiring, and encouraging. Our tired, weary souls are restored.” Daugherty stressed the importance of having community support.
“CARES is a non-profit shelter that must raise 80% of its funding, so every dollar that we earn tonight will go towards helping us make ends meet with our operational costs,” she said. “It costs us about $22,000 per month to run the shelter,” Daugherty said CARES would be having another fundraiser in March and a karaoke coming up soon. “Watch our social media,” she said. “We’ll be decorating the town with posters and flyers. We have a fundraiser at least once a month, so we keep the lights on. We appreciate the community showing up every time, which is wonderful.” Daugherty said CARES accepts donations through Venmo, PayPal, Facebook, and in person at the office on 1640 Desoto Ave. in Clarksdale. She said checks and cash are both accepted.
More information about CARES can be found at www.caresclarksdale.com or https://facebook.com/caresclarksdalems?mibextid=ZbWKwL. CARES’s contact information is (662) 627-7870 and Caresdesk@gmail.com.
