The First Annual DESPCA Zumbathon was held May 5 and was a huge financial and community success. It should be noted that DESPCA is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the elimination of animal cruelty, neglect and overpopulation by providing services for people and their companion animals. It relies solely on local donations from the private sector in order to rescue animals and it does not receive any government assistance.

Community involvement was paramount in making this fundraiser work. The first step was asking Kelly Serpico, Zumba instructor extraodinaire, to be the lead on asking the fitness community for help. She immediately stepped up and enlisted Paul Trichel, Amanda Savage, Enma Rodriguez and Kathy Pfarr as co-instructors. The amazing volunteers from Georgetown SPCA jumped in and started soliciting silent auction items from local businesses.

We would like to thank Rehoboth Beach YMCA Executive Director Laurie Weeks and her assistant Suzette Chambers for providing the venue free of charge. Katie and Holly with Jim the custodian, made themselves available to our calls for help in setting up. We would also like to thank the Youth Group of Wesley United Methodist Church in Georgetown for their assistance.

We would also like to thank the following list of community merchants and private donors for contributing gift certificates and goods that ended up in raising a whopping $2,526 for DESPCA!

They include: Schell Brothers, Peninsula Golf and Country Club, Browseabout Books, Nickle Electric, Upper Crust, Clever Kats, Beach Jetty, Bibilion Books, Deanna's /Piccolino, Irish Eyes, Jerry's Seafood, Jewelry Exchange, Lewes Gourmet, Marsha's, Ocean Point Grill/Lewes, R.A.K., Twila Farrel, Two Friends, Ace Hardware, D&D Stained Glass, Harry's Hardware, Just Teasin', Laura's Flowers, Long Neck Car Wash, Long Neck Deli, Millsboro Lanes, Ocean Point Diner, Tip Top Nails, Salon Milton, Private Donor - S. LeMar, Bed of Roses, Bella Luna, Bin 66, Cilantro Restaurant, Cotton Club, Endeavor Trading, Fins Ale House, Gifts of Serenity, M Squared, MC Nails, Midway Theaters, New Balance, Nicola Pizza, Pickled Pig, Private Collection, Proud Bookstore, Rehoboth Ale House, Sea Finds, Skechers, The Spice & Tea Exchange, T-Shirt World, Wags to Riches Too LLC and private donor Fay Kempton, Jim Martoris, Dick Byrne and Sherrie Wright and Nancy Fry.

We couldn’t have done this without our community pulling together and showing their love, compassion and commitment to the companion animals of Delaware and the DESPCA located in Georgetown and Stanton. We thank you.

Kathy Hughes
chair
DESPCA First Annual Zumbathon