Story Provided by Daniel Morgan
Texas Roadhouse is hosting a fundraiser for the Brooke County Animal Shelter on April 12 from 4-8 p.m. The county commission receives 10 percent of the profits for the animals’ medical needs.
West Liberty University seniors Mark Carson, Josie McCoy, and Daniel Morgan planned the event, and they collected raffle items to raise additional funds for the shelter’s operational supplies, such as food, cat litter, toys and cleaning supplies.
Raffle items include two lithograph autographs from Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, four tickets to the Wheeling Nailers’ 2018-2019 season opener, four Washington Wild Things tickets, and a bundle of gift certificates to local businesses and restaurants totaling over $250, among other donations and theme baskets.
“It’s amazing to see that there are others out there with compassion to help us, and it is appreciated by me and my staff,” said the shelter’s director Donna DeJaro. “I love Texas Roadhouse, and we appreciate the fundraiser and how it’s going to help.”
The students chose the animal shelter as their client for their public relations Capstone course.
“After meeting with Donna, we determined that the organization’s biggest needs were donation-driven,” Carson said. “Josie works at Texas Roadhouse, and when she brought up the idea of having an event there to advocate for the shelter and raise funds, we all immediately agreed that it was a great idea. We’re very grateful that Texas Roadhouse Marketing Manager Amy Lawson agreed to let us host this event.”
Monetary donations pay for the shelter animals’ medical needs, including surgeries and special medication; those donations are sent directly to a county commission bookkeeper.
“Monetary donations are never used for daily operations,” DeJaro said. “We require money from donations to care for our animals’ medical needs at least eight times a year, and that does not include your typical spay or neuters. We are county funded, and if it wasn’t for donations, we would be scrambling to be able to treat animals that are adoptable but just need some surgery.”
The students share a passion for animals, which influenced their decision to choose the shelter as a client.
“Once the three of us ended up in a group, choosing an animal shelter was a no-brainer,” McCoy said, who just recently adopted a cat of her own from the shelter. “We all love animals, and Mark, Daniel and I are very excited to be using our capstone project to help a cause that’s special to all of us.”
“These students clearly understand and appreciate the importance of giving of themselves, and they are working very hard to apply the lessons they have learned at West Liberty University to assist the Brooke County Animal Shelter,” said Assistant Professor of Journalism Tammie Beagle, the student’s instructor. “I am hoping for a great turnout for the event, and I’m very proud of the creativity and determination that Mark, Josie, and Daniel are pouring into it. We are all looking forward to enjoying a good meal and a fun evening, and helping out the shelter with medical and other expenses is pretty good, too.”
Texas Roadhouse is located at 43 Fort Henry Rd. at The Highlands in Triadelphia; no reservations are needed to attend the event.
The Brooke County Animal Shelter is located at 797 Mac Barnes Drive in Beech Bottom, and its employees and volunteers dedicate their time to finding “furever” homes for all loving animals and educating the public on animal care. For more information about the shelter, please call 304- 394-0800.
Photo provided by Daniel Morgan
