LAC LA BICHE - People who stopped by the Sparkle & Shine Carwash in Lac La Biche on Aug. 22 could enjoy a burger or hot dog, while also getting their ride looking squeaky clean, and dropping off unwanted bottles - all while helping out the Lac La Biche Regional Humane Society.
The ‘Car Wash for Paws’ took place from noon until 5 p.m. at Sparkle & Shine, which is owned by Ian Cloutier and his wife, Payton Shukaliuk.
Shukaliuk serves as a member of the board for the Humane Society and also volunteers with the organization. The car wash is located on 99 Avenue in the hamlet of Lac La Biche, next to the bottle depot.
The idea to put on the fundraising, Cloutier explained, came about when the animal shelter expressed interest in doing a summer event.
“The Humane Society always has a bin at the bottle depot that accepts bottles, and then the money helps the shelter operate, so we thought, hey, let’s just fill that bin right up with anybody that wants to donate,” Cloutier said. “And also, if you want a burger, and you want a car wash, we’re donating to the Humane Society.”
According to Cloutier, the price of burgers and hot dogs was by donation, while $10 from every carwash purchased at Sparkle & Shine on Aug. 22 was donated to the Humane Society.
For the local business, being able to help the animal shelter was a worthwhile endeavour.
“The Humane Society is so good for our community . . . They do so much good programming. . . They run the shelter . . . They operate the SNIP program for cats and dogs,” he stated. The SNIP Program provides spaying and neutering of animals.
“It’s just a great community thing that’s grown over the years, and it’s helped our animal populations, and helped people adopt healthy pets in the community.”
Shukaliak explained that she and Cloutier had previously organized a fundraiser for the Humane Society and discussed putting on another event for the shelter.
“They’re always looking for donations to help with running the facility,” Shukaliuk said, adding that the couple adopted a dog close to two years ago. “We see the importance in helping all of the animals . . . It’s just something we’re passionate about.”
Funds from donations received for burgers and hot dogs, along with bottles and car wash sales, according to Shukaliak, will be put towards day-to-day operations of the Humane Society such as paying the power bill, dog and cat food, as well as the facility expansion project.
“We are looking for some dollars just to cover the little things that need to be added,” she said.
Charlyn Moore, who currently serves as Ward 5 councillor for Lac La Biche County, also helped with the barbecue fundraiser.
“I’m passionate about our Humane Society,” Moore said, adding that the County also supports the animal shelter.
MJ Siebold, the chairperson and founder of the Lac La Biche Regional Humane Society, was also in attendance at the event.
“I love the fact that it’s a number of different community members that have taken the initiative and come together as different groups for a common cause,” Siebold said. “They recognize the value of the services that the shelter provides.”
