Star Paws event raises big funds for nonprofit

VANCOUVER MALL — Furry Friends, a nonprofit cat adoption organization, recently held its 11th annual signature auction and fundraiser. This year called Star Paws, the Sept. 14 event raised thousands of dollars for future projects. At the Heathman Lodge, the group received a $20,000 check from Glen Aronson of Iron Gate Storage. The funds will help pay for a parking lot and sidewalk project. Dr. Virginia Huang donated $10,000 to the medical fund to care for cats. About 200 other individuals and businesses donated services and items at the auction, while 33 volunteers put in around 1,300 hours to put on the auction, which sold 209 tickets. “These funds come at the right time,” a news release states. “Our annual expenses have been running about $220,000. From what we make at the auction and $7,693 from Give More 24, this is what keeps us afloat. The rest of the year, we depend on the monthly donations … to help us make ends meet. We still have a mortgage of $140,000 on top of our daily expenses. There are no paychecks. Somehow, we are able to just make our expenses.” For more information about Furry Friends, call 360-993-1097, visit www.furryfriendswa.org or contact information@furryfriendswa.org.