Local Bikers Raise Money for Animal Shelter at Third Annual ‘We Ride for Tail’ Event | Local News


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FAIRMONT – Leslie Eagle has been riding motorcycles for five years and has adopted all of her pets from animal shelters.

“We have two dogs and a cat and these are all rescues,” Eagle said. “We have to support the animals, they need us more than anyone thinks. “

Eagle and her husband often attend biker charity events, but over the past three years one event has become special for them – We Ride for Tail.

In 2019, the Marion County Humane Society suffered significant damage when its roof collapsed and a waterline burst, adding to the disarray. Bikers in the area have come together to raise funds to help finance repairs to the facility. The event was hosted by Rae Ann Carter, a local biker and friend of the animal shelter.

“They needed the money, and that was one way for me to do it,” Carter said. “I have a lot of friends who cycle and race poker [are] a great way to raise money.

On Saturday, the bikers filled the Brickside on the Green parking lot at the Fairmont Field Club where they paid a $ 20 entry fee to participate in the third annual event. Runners could also pay for raffle tickets or event t-shirts and all proceeds went to the humanitarian society.

Saturday’s race was called a poker race. Bikers start at one location, then ride a predetermined route, stop at several bars along the way, and at each bar a cyclist is given a playing card. At the end of the course, the biker with the best poker hand wins a cash prize.

This year has had less attendance than in previous years, likely due to the increase in the number of COVID-19, but Carter is grateful to those who have come to support the shelter.

“COVID has really hurt our participation,” Carter said. “But hey, I’ll take as many as they come up with.”

Despite some hesitation, there were 45 bikes ready to roll out of the parking lot, heading for Prunty’s Pub in Monongah.

“We [bikers], that’s what we love to do, ”Carter said. “No matter what organization you are in, we’re here to help others. Just because we ride a bike doesn’t mean we make bad people out of us.

From there, the convoy is expected to pass through Mannington, Blacksville, to Grafton, then end up at Brickside in Fairmont where there was live music and food.

A new facility

The Marion County Humane Society had plans to build a new facility long before their current facility ran into problems in 2019. The building they are working on was built in the 1970s and leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to animal care. modern.

In recent years, the company and its board of directors have considered various avenues for the completion of a new facility. Originally, the new facility was to be built at a different location.

After several unsuccessful attempts to find a suitable property, they decided to build on their existing property, a 13-acre site off Highway 19 towards Monongah. Recently, they spent over $ 5,000 to develop a plan to build a new 12,000 square foot facility on the same lot as their existing building.

“We keep throwing money and investing money in this [old] building, ”said Jonna Spatafore, director of the Humane Society. “But nowadays we are way beyond the way they did things in the 70s.”

The new facility would include additional and more spacious areas for animals, reception areas, delivery areas and updated medical care areas. With current plans, construction of the new facility is estimated at $ 1.5 million.

In the near future, the company will look to organizations and local governments for help with funding.

“We don’t have much money and we need more,” said Spatafore. “We serve the community and when we need something the community is behind us. It is very heartwarming to know that the community values ​​what we do.

The Marion County Humane Society is always seeking donations of any amount. To find out more about what he does and how to donate, visit www.mchswv.com.

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