About 200 animal lovers made the People for Paws fundraiser a huge success. The event benefitted Carpathia Paws Animal Rescue Organization and was held June 6 at the Dorchester Civic Center in Midway.

According to Carpathia Paws board member and event chairman Maryann Smith the event brought in $7,150 to support the dogs and cats currently housed at the rescue facility and foster homes.

Smith said many people came together donating their time to help the local animal rescue organization. Local band Kickin' Up Dust played and also donated funds to the event Smith said.

Local musicians Exit 76, Dakota Woods and JJ Holton also contributed their time to the cause.

Smith said Sissy Gottlieb, of Midway Auto Care and Coastal Auto Care won $450 during a raffle drawing but she promptly donated the money right back to Carpathia Paws.

“It was a rocking party and the venue was perfect,” Smith said noting they intend to hold the annual fundraiser each year in June.

Smith said Carpathia Paws is currently in desperate need of volunteers to walk dogs, temporary foster homes for dogs and cats and cash donations.

Smith noted that pets placed in foster homes have all their veterinarian bills paid by the organization for the pets they are fostering.

Approximately 2,500 dogs and more than 500 cats have been rescued since their inception in 2010 Smith noted.

“We have fixed around 100 stray cats in the community,” Smith added saying they do their best in collecting feral cat colonies throughout the community through their trap, spay/neuter, vaccinate and return program.

In preparation for the event Smith said Joanna Ng Photography took pictures of local celebrities and dignitaries such as WTOC’s Dawn Baker, Hinesville Mayor Jim Thomas, Hinesville Police Chief George Stagmeier and Mayoral candidate Allen Brown. Each of these folks were posed with a rescue dog, the photos later enlarged and then used to decorate the venue and showcase their rescue pets.

Smith said Celebrate Beverage and Smokin' Pig BBQ helped them with the food and alcohol and Clyde's Market donated the bottled water.

Smith said that Lance’s Concrete was the title sponsor for the second year in a row. The Hinesville Area Arts Council sponsored the stage. Other sponsors included:

Bubba and Carole Grinstead, Tri-County Bonding, U.S. Real Estate Professionals, Brasseler USA, Thacker Plumbing, Melissa Carter Ray State Farm, Elaine Boggs Real Estate, Dove Mortgage, La Maison Du Caniche, The Heritage Bank, Guaranteed Plumbing, Stop N Store and Deanna Dasher.

Carpathia Paws will host another fundraiser June 11 at the Pour House Bar & Grill, 135 West Hendry Street, Hinesville. The event will be from 5:30-9 p.m. Musician Dakota Woods will perform on the acoustic guitar. Celebrity bartenders will include Team Ameris ‘Big Money’ Bank of James Rogers and Danny Creasy. Team Billy ‘City Slicker’ Edwards, The Coldwell Banker Team, the team of Ashley Sittle, Aaron Duncan and Travis Crowley as team CA ‘Mowin Ya Down’ and the CH2M ‘Cleaning Up The Competition’ Team of Bobby Ryon, Mike Davis and Rodney Edwards.

Secure donations can be made online at: http://www.carpathiapaws.com/