For the first time in 10 years, the Humane Society of Berks County is venturing to Pottstown.
Their destination: the Sunnybrook Ballroom where the likes of Frank Sinatra, Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, and Chubby Checker among many others once took center stage. However, on Saturday, Aug. 15, this famous venue will go to the dogs – literally, with the third stop of the Pints for Pups Summer of SKA fundraiser.
Ska, a high energy reggae/punk music originating from Jamaica, quickly gained popularity in England. It seemed to be dying out in the late 90’s but is now making a comeback. The first stop of the Pints for Pups and the Summer of SKA was held at Buchanan Park in Lancaster where the Pietasters entertained nearly 200 guests. From there, the Pups and the Hempsteadys made their way to the Reading Liederkrantz on July 25 to entertain approximately 500 guests. And now, they are coming to Pottstown with The Snails. Why do so many people turn out for these events? It may be the unique ska music or the 29 breweries on hand offering a variety of nearly 54 specialty craft beers. Or maybe, just maybe, it is because so many like-minded people want to help the poor canines that find themselves locked up in cages, for one reason or another. The reasons may be that these pups were surrendered by their owners; that they were found wandering the streets by police or animal control; displaced by tragedy; or that they were taken into custody due to animal cruelty by their owner. Whatever the reason, the Humane Society of Berks County and Humane Pennsylvania make every effort to adopt these dogs out to forever homes.
The event is open to anyone over the age of 21. Children, toddlers and infants will not be admitted. ID is required and will be checked at the door. The event runs, rain or shine, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for general admission. Craft beers, music by The Snails, a picnic-style buffet with vegetarian options, commemorative pint glass featuring artwork by artist Adrienne Trafford and the admission of one well-behaved leashed dog are included in the cost of the $40 ticket. Designated drivers can obtain special tickets for $20 to ensure their friends arrive safely home. Non-alcoholic beverages are included in this ticket. If sampling rare specialty craft beers is your desire, a $75 V.I.P. ticket is available that provides everything the general admission ticket does and allows an extra hour of beer sampling from 3pm -4 pm. A full list of the tentative beer list is available at http://berkshumane.org/events/pints-for-pups/.
Dogs are not forgotten in all the fun and why should they be? They are the reason for this event! They get to “mingle” with other canines, play in the creek, enjoy special dog treats and drink non-alcoholic beer or ice-cold water. Adoptable dogs will be on hand by volunteers of the Humane Society. Dog merchandise will be also be available for sale.
“The money raised during these events goes toward adoption services to the region and vaccination clinic and food distribution days to Chester and Montgomery Counties,” says Karel Minor, Executive Director, HBSC. “The Berks and Lancaster events target those areas and the Pottstown event, which falls under the Humane Pennsylvania banner, allows us to provide services wherever needed in SE Pennsylvania. The monies assist with the PetNet programs-emergency foster programs, food distribution/ani-meals, cover the cost of discounted services to poor pet owners, as well as care of injured and sick strays brought to the shelter.”
Since Pints for Pups started 10 years ago, the Humane Society has raised over $300,000, not including the 2015 donations. Last year alone, Pints for Pups raised $40,000 and according to recent reports, it appears that 2015 will easily break the 2014 donations. The Humane Society of Berks County has three locations to service the area: The Lindy Scholar Animal Welfare Center of Reading), Danielle Ruiz Murphy Center and Dog Park of Birdsboro, and the Humane League of Lancaster County of Lancaster.
Tickets are available at <HumanePA.org>. Come out for an evening of fun because “Pints for Pups is an annual event where drinking beer not only tastes good, it does good, too!”
