VIDEO: Animal Shelter Committee Continues Fundraising Efforts

Quietly but consistently, the push for .

Last year, the Ad Hoc Animal Shelter Facility Study Committee asked twice for taxpayer money to build a new shelter, . At the time, the committee raised around $7,000, while First Selectman Dan Steward asked the group to raise $100,000.

Since, Animal Control Officer Robert Yuchniuk’s wife Melissa Yuchniuk became the leader of the committee’s fundraising, and has held at least one fundraiser each month. The group is now selling two dozen red roses and a box of chocolates for $30 as part of a Valentine’s Day fundraiser.

The extra effort has paid off, with the group now up to $37,000 as of January 1st, Robert Yuchniuk said Tuesday. That total does not include another $30,000 to $35,000 from Richard Atherton, Atherton’s donation is still being sorted out in probate court, and has not yet been received by the animal shelter committee, Yuchniuk said.

All donations to the animal shelter, including the purchase of the dozen roses and chocolate, are tax deductable.