NORWICH – On Saturday March 28, Luszi's Legacy held its first ever fundraiser at the Canasawacta Country Club. Over 100 people attended, more than 40 raffle items were awarded, and several vendors attended, with the event raising a total of $4000 that will go to a fund at Pet Street Station Animal Hospital, to help those struggling to afford quality of life care for their senior pets.

Anett Slater was inspired to start Luszi's Legacy after her almost 17 year old Jack Russel terrier, Luszi, passed away. The last months of Luszi's life were spattered with vet visits, medical treatments, and difficult recovery moments for her humans, trying to keep her always happy self out of the mud after surgery. The Slaters are very grateful for the quality of care and attention that Luszi received towards the end of her life.

Luszi's Legacy has a committee that helped to make the event possible, helping prepare for the event and running it smoothly. Tyler Slater, Melissa Beers, Jen Mazzarella, Kalin Shinebarger, Tara Wheeler, and Bri Curley, all volunteered their time to the committee and helped make the event a success. The Canasawacta Country Club donated the space so that the event could be held there free of charge, in support of the organization. Among the raffle baskets and vendors, there were also baked goods specially made with Luszi's Legacy logo on them, a full bar, and live music by Dan Wakefield.

Speaking with Slater before the event, she said, “helping others who are unable to afford quality of care or emergency care for their senior pet that's my goal with this, to help those who can't afford it.” She continued, “because she had an eye problem, and even though that didn't cause her to pass away, it was crucial for her quality of life to treat her eye.”

At the event Slater brought this up, truly reinforcing her goal to help others maintain their senior pets quality of life as they progress in age. She expressed gratitude for the care that Pet Street Station provided Luszi, and the kind employees, and thanked everyone in attendance for contributing.

Part of their fundraising efforts involved selling t-shirts and dog bandanas with the Luszi's Legacy logo on them. So far, they've sold a total of 75 shirts and bandanas before and during the event. They are still for sale and can be ordered by messaging Luszi's Legacy on Facebook or texting/calling (607) 244-3638.

Assemblyman Joe Angelino even made it to the event, and posted about it on social media where he wrote, “Tyler and Anett turned their grief into good by raising funds to help other pet owners afford proper, professional care for pets at Pet Street Station Animal Hospital. God bless everyone who generously turned out for a great cause.”

“Having Assemblyman Angelino coming to our event was absolutely a wonderful feeling to us and his support meant a lot as well. I am very grateful that he shared our event on his Facebook and through his post we reached even more people,” said Slater

Shortly after the inaugural fundraiser, on March 30, Anett and her husband Tyler Slater presented a large check of $4000 to Pet Street Station, initiating this life saving fund. While it is going to take a few weeks to figure out logistics, Slater anticipates that the new Luszi's Legacy Fund will be able to help eight animal families with $500 towards the costs of care for their senior pets.

“Pet Street Station Animal Hospital also came to the event and we are very grateful that they didn’t only support Luszi then, but they still supported her mission,” said Slater.

While this event was indoors and pets couldn't attend, Slater is planning a second event around Luszi's birthday. The current idea is to have a corn hole tournament outdoors so people can bring their friendly dogs along, and Luszi's friends can attend.

To keep up with Luszi's Legacy follow their Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588643574028 " target=”_blank”><u>https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588643574028 </u></a>

You can donate to the organization on Venmo @LuszisLegacy , or with cash/checks by contacting (607) 244-3638.