SUN CITY – Betty Barnett (N. 22) always wanted a dog, but the residences and condos she lived in had a policy of NO PETS.
On the very day she retired, she found herself at an animal shelter just to take a look and came home with Princess. That was five years ago, and she has been a volunteer for the Anderson Animal Shelter in South Elgin ever since.
Betty has become quite involved in the annual Bake Sale/Jewelry Faire to be held September 10 and 11 at the American Legion Hall in Geneva. She is trying to raise money to upgrade the facility by coordinating a bake sale, and every year about this time, she goes to work in her kitchen and bakes about 25 coffee cakes, including chocolate-banana cake, almond cake, and cheesecakes. This year, Betty is featuring candy-coated pretzels and doggy treats. Betty uses only organic products and no cream cheese in her cheesecakes. All ingredients are fresh and everything is made from scratch.
It was in the first year that she met Kathleen, who was in charge of the Jewelry Faire, another avenue in raising money for the shelter, and came up with the idea of combining the two aspects. After checking with the Board at the Shelter, who heartily approved the idea, Betty contacted bakers from the Shelter along with some of the Sun City residents and was able to raise about $700 that first year.
And last year on her postcard reminders she noted, “If you order specific items during the month of August, all proceeds from the sales go to the Anderson Animal Shelter.” Four hundred dollars was raised along with the $1,200 during the regular sale. Other items offered for sale are purses and jewelry boxes. Some stores will even donate brand-new jewelry.
They’ve been fortunate to be able to schedule this fundraiser the same time as the “Festival of the Vine” in Geneva for the past three years. If you’d like to preview the goodies to be sold, you can view them at the American Legion Hall on Saturday from 10 – 11 a.m. for a $10 fee. And then from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. the fee will be $5. On Sunday, the sale will be from 12 – 4 p.m. and the entrance fee will be $5. The address of the American Legion Hall is 22 South Second Street, in Geneva.
This year, Betty needs more bakers and is specifically looking for pie bakers. Breads are also accepted. Please call Betty at 224-569-6755 if you’d like to contribute to this worthy cause. If you own a dog or cat, you know how much a part of your family pets are and how they need the loving care of people. If you could bake something, Betty will be happy to pick it up and see that it gets to the sale. Donations of money are gratefully accepted also and can be dropped off at 12662 Rock Highland Trail in Sun City.
The Anderson Animal Shelter offers other wonderful programs for the children, such as a camp for six to eight year olds called “Kids and Critters,” where the children learn about neutering and spaying. The Shelter also welcomes high school students who would like to volunteer to walk the dogs. Betty’s e-mail is betty12662@sbcglobal.net.
