'DOGGY BE GOOD' RAISES FUNDS TO BENEFIT ST. JUDE CHILDREN HOSPITAL AND ANIMAL RESCUE

Event organizaded by Anna Arteaga & Michael Di Marco at the 'Doggy Be Good' HQ

From left to right: Joe and Laura Femenia from the College Point Civic Association and 'Doggy Be Good' partners Anna Arteaga and Michael DiMarco posing with Santa Claus and two of his assistants at the Christmas fundraising event in benefit of St. Jude Children Hospital and Animal Rescue.

NYC TALENT PRESS / Guillermo MOGOLLAN.
Queens, NY.- On Saturday, December 15th, Chihuahuas, Bull dogs, Golden Retrievers and many more breeds went to the 'Doggy Be Good' facilities bringing along their owners to celebrate Christmas in advance, in a special event to help raise funds in benefit of St. Jude Children Hospital and Animal Rescue.

The annual event was organized by 'Doggy Be Good' partners Anna Arteaga and Michael DiMarco, who asked pet owners to bring either an unwrapped gift for a child to be donated to 'Toys for Tots' or a non-perishable food item to help feed the hungry.

Visitors and their pets were able to take pictures with Santa Claus and enjoyed hot chocolate, snacks and food donated by Sal's Pizza, all in exchange for a small donation, with all the proceeds going to the above mentioned non-profits.

 Pictures by: Guillermo MOGOLLAN   © MOGOLLAN EMPIRE 2012. All Rights Reserved.

MaryAnn, here holding Diesel, her 5 month Cani Corso Italian Mastiff, bought $20 dollars worth of tickets for the raffle. "Let's see if luck is on my side", said the good hearted lady. We see her in the picture with Megan, holding both Haley, the Chihuahua and  Cooper, the motif and John.

  Marissa, Bella, Donna and Scooby.

 Ralph and Rosie, his English Bulldog.

Students from Martin Van Buren High School and John Browne High School volunteered at the food stand, the raffle table and receiving the toys or the non-perishable food items from guests arriving to the event.

The raffle tickets cost only $1.00 and gave any ticket holder the opportunity to win a wide variety of prizes such as a hand made afgan, pizza pies, dinner for two or 5 free zumba classes, pet holiday gift baskets and Murray Feiss Lamps among many other items.
 

From Left to right: Arturo Cárdenas and Patricia Hoetzel. Also in the picture we can see Cristina and Mark, high school students who volunteered serving delicious food donated by Sal's Pizza.  

  Pets and owners did enjoy the heat coming from the bonfire.

 Guests and pet owners brought either an unwrapped
 gift for a  child to be donated to 'Toys for Tots' or a 
non-perishable food item to help feed the hungry.

 Father Mark Swartvagher from the Brooklyn Diocesis gave 

an eulogy in honor of the victims of the Newtown elementary

 school shooting, for whom he asked a silent prayer and then he 
blessed animals at the fundraising, like Kasey, the Golden Retriever.

  A makeshift memorial set up by 'Doggy Be Good' management in 
honor of the victims of the Newtown elementary school shooting,
was the first thing visitors noticed at the entrance of the facility.

These are some of the businesses that donated something for the raffle and who are constantly giving back to the community:

Sal's Pizzeria, White Point Pizza, Freddy's Pizzeria, Martinello's Pizza, Cappola's Pizza, 7 Stairs Coffee Shop, Twice is Nice Boutique,  Raggedy Ann's Boutique, Wyld Chyld Tattoos, Zanno Pizza, Whitestone Cleaners, Benateri's Deli.