June 25 marked the end of live greyhound racing in Arizona, specifically South Tucson. Beading Divas to the Rescue (past and present greyhound adopters) celebrated greyhounds crossing the final finish line as well as our raising more than $150,000 for animal charities. 
Shameless self-promotion – we rock and know how to throw one helluva party – fundraisers for Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption which since April has transitioned 51 hounds from the track, 17 (or one third) who suffered serious injuries. On the last night of racing, a dog (Fini-pictured) suffered a compound fracture. The greyhounds are in great need of
BIG THANK YOU ALL AROUND TO:
–Greyhound Protection League for making our hearts leap out of throats when that humongous rolling billboard rolled into the parking lot.
–The Shelter Cocktail Lounge for hosting our fab party.
–Everyone who donated beads! The Humane Society of Southern Arizona won the random drawing and will be our August fundraising recipient. Congratulations!
–All the greyhounds (foster dogs and pets) who mixed and mingled with a crowd of admirers.
–The volunteers: Alice Jordan, Mary Bahmer, Mary Freeman, Cindy X, Dawne Gabrielson, Dawn Heinemann, Doe Krzysik, Susan Miller, Taryn Westergaard and Misty Pantel. They were the glue that held our event together.
–The celebrity bartenders: Lisa Ritter-Baker/professional dog lover; Steve Randles/started the first greyhound rescue in 1992; and Steve Kozachik/Tucson councilman and zealous promoter of greyhound protection. (The guest bartenders were relieved of their duties because it was so busy but the tips were graciously shared with the greyhounds.)
–Raffle prizes were donated by: Chella Bella Designs, Karyn Zoldan, Tucson Tails, Bernsen Arts, Silver Sea Jewelry, Frankie’s Cheesesteaks, Lisa Ritter-Baker, Building Bonds Training LLC, Joan Athey, Beading Divas to the Rescue, CourtsArt.
–All the auxiliary Beading Divas who wore their tiaras.
—You Sly Dog Food Truck for good service and yummy hot dogs.
–Everyone who bought a bracelet — 62 bracelets sold in 3 hours!
–The Arizona Daily Star/Caliente and Pet Talk Radio who promoted our two events.
–The greater animal rescue community who came out to support the greyhounds and everyone who came to celebrate.
–Photos courtesy of Jeffrey Mead
TEA TASTING
On Sunday June 26 a more genteel fundraiser was held at Seven Cups Tea House. People mingled and sipped tea while buying bracelets and winning raffle prizes.
THANK YOU TO:
–Seven Cups for hosting and to Diva Loren for making the initial request.
–Raffle prizes were donated by Diana Hansen, Greyt Escape, Silver Sea Jewelry, The Polite Canine LLC, Circle of Food Blog, Rita Connelly, Frankie’s Cheesesteaks, Mary Jo Pollack, Bernsen Arts, Alison Tibbals, and Beading Divas to the Rescue.
–Diana Hansen for our creative graphic design skills and promoting the bracelets and events on Facebook.
12 bracelets sold in two hours.
Mary Freeman addressed the attendees as to what was happening to all the dogs and talked to people who were interested in adopting.
About $3,000 was raised between the two events. To adopt a dog, click here and to make a direct donation, click here. To buy bracelets online, click here.
The Beading Divas are Michelle Caillet, Cynthia David, Loren Dawn, Lizzie Mead and Karyn Zoldan
