Society seeks donations for new sign
Published 9:31 pm Wednesday, October 15, 2014
The sign at the Suffolk Humane Society office was badly damaged in a crash Tuesday night. The organization is hoping to drum up additional donations to replace it. (Denis Confer photo)
A missing sign at the Suffolk Humane Society headquarters — the work of an alleged drunken driver — has caused consternation just before the annual Driver Days festival.
Members noticed the sign, at the office at 4300 Nansemond Parkway, was missing Wednesday morning. It was lying in the front yard to the side of the building, member Denis Confer said, and landscaping and bricks were strewn across the yard. The sign was cracked and broken in multiple places, he said.
The society allows parking at its office as a fundraiser for Driver Days, which happens this Saturday and Sunday, and people need to know where to find them, member Kay Hurley said.
“That helps us raise a lot of money to do programs,” she said. “Now, we have to spend money for another sign.”
Hurley also said the incident happened right after Elizabeth River Landscape had donated free labor and materials to spruce up the office’s landscaping, including the area around the sign.
“They helped us with some mulch and trimming the shrubs,” Hurley said. “We were getting spruced up for Driver Days.”
The accident occurred around 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Thomas E. Holmes was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and refusing a blood or breath test, city spokeswoman Diana Klink said. He wasn’t injured, and his was the only vehicle involved in the accident.
Hurley said the society is seeking donations for a replacement sign.
“It’s very important that people know where we are for the Neuter Scooter and the pet pantry and different things we do at the office, and people dropping off donations,” Hurley said. “When the Neuter Scooter comes there, we have people from areas other than Suffolk who come, so it’s helpful.”
The Neuter Scooter provides low-cost spay and neutering for dogs and cats in Suffolk three or four times a month. The visit schedule is listed on the society’s website, www.suffolkhumanesociety.com, where potential donors can also donate via PayPal.
Donations also can be sent to P.O. Box 5038, Suffolk, VA 23438.
Call 583-3030 to reach the society’s office.
