PAWS sets fundraising record at car show

WASHINGTON — People, pets and well-kept cars surrounded the square in Washington Sunday, in town for the annual PAWS & More Car Show.

Organizers from the animal shelter said they registered 20-30 more cars and raised about double the funds compared to last year’s show, easily setting a record for the group.

“People really came out,” Shelter Director Amber Talbot said. “This was definitely worth the extra coordination.”

The organization restructured its annual event this year, with programming that went beyond the already impressive display of vehicles. The show featured dancers, a choir, vendors, a donkey, games and a “kissing booth” of puppies and kittens.

The show was already the shelter’s biggest annual fundraiser. Talbot said it provided an array of opportunities for a community that was happy to chip in.

“It gets sponsorship, there’s the car registration component, then there’s the lunch that we serve, around 300 people every year,” she said. “With adding more activities for freewill donations, that makes a big difference too. This is kind of a diverse event that allows people to give and support the shelter in various different ways.”

Talbot said the new programming was a fun way to amp things up.

“We’ve just added a lot more activities and fun things happening up on the stage,” she said. “The goal was to attract more people and have more entertainment for people of all ages. Whether you appreciate old cars or not, it’s still a great event you can come to … there’s something for everybody, no matter what age, that you can still enjoy the car show while having other things to enjoy.”

The expanded programming is especially good for parents and their kids.

“If you’ve got to drag your kids along and there’s nothing to keep those kids busy, that can get hard too,” Talbot said.

As an outdoor event away from the shelter building, Talbot said PAWS staff and volunteers needed a hand making everything come together.

Coordination of the show falls to the Corn Country Cruisers, a local car enthusiast group. Talbot said she was grateful for their support.

“It’s a very successful partnership, we would not be able to do it without them,” she said. “They have such a big following that we promote this months before the actual event … because the car club, they’re all gathering throughout the spring and summer.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com