Stanhope Mayor Patty Zdichocki and Maria Grizzetti Honored for their community service at Fundraiser for Homeless Pets and Pets of Domestic Violence Victims

Only Kindness Rescue is honored to host, “What About Me?” a fundraiser for Homeless Pets and Pets of Domestic Violence Victims!   Buffet Lunch, Cash Bar, 50/50, Live Auction, a special take home gift and more surprises! Guests of Honor Mayor Patty Zdichocki and Maria Grizzetti!  Local artist, Rich Meyer, will make a special appearance to provide some fun, live music for this special event!  Top Sponsor Nielson Nissan!
Tickets $45 may be purchased online through EventBrite via OnlyKindnessRescue.org/events,  info@onlykindnessrescue.org or call 973-897-7170.    

Our Guests of Honor exemplify the meaning of community service! Mayor Patty Zdichocki and Maria Grizzetti adopted two beautiful kittens from Only Kindness Rescue in 2019. Not only have they provided Guinness and Graycie with a wonderful home filled with love, and an adopted canine brother Max, they continuously support our rescue with funds, food drives, referrals and much more!  We are beyond grateful for their friendship, generosity and willingness to help us in any way they can! 

Mayor Patty and Maria also give their time, effort and talent to so many other national and local causes, including, as a two time “Volunteer of the Year” for DASI - Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Intervention Services in Newton.  The staff of DASI believe in the human-animal bond, and our mission to help domestic violence shelters provide protection for pets of domestic violence victims.

Please help us rescue more homeless animals, and make it easier for victims of domestic violence to escape abuse WITH their pets, or find temporary safe places for them, so no family pet will ever be left behind! Pet family members serve as therapy providing support, reassurance, comfort and security to children and adult victims of domestic violence.  

OUR GOAL:

• To raise funds to rescue and care for homeless pets until we find them their forever homes.                                                                    
• To raise funds to help care for and control the overpopulation of abandoned and community cats. 
• To raise funds to help domestic violence shelters add a safe space, or provide temporary safe haven for pets, so families may escape abuse WITH their pets and don't have to give up their loved ones or leave them behind in danger.

*Over 50% of domestic violence victims will not flee abuse, or delay leaving because they have no way of protecting their pet family members; Only 3% of domestic violence shelters nationwide can accommodate pets; There were 63,058 domestic violence offenses reported in New Jersey per the most recent annual 2020 NJ State Police Annual DV Report.                        

Our first two fundraisers were a big success in raising over $35,000 to help us care for homeless and abandoned pets, and enlightening many of the need for pet friendly domestic violence shelters!  Our events garnered the support and attendance from the Essex County Executive, several Mayors, Freeholders, Congressmen, Police Chiefs, hospital CEO’s and Social Service Agencies. Proclamations declaring Pets of Domestic Violence Awareness Month were issued in eight towns in Essex County!
Will you help us make an impact in Sussex County this year?  www.OnlyKindnessRescue.org/events

“If we can help even one family, one pet, one child that will not have to be torn from possibly the only source of comfort and security she has, then we will have made a difference in the lives of victims of domestic violence.
 Mary Linn Lombardo, Founder/Executive Director, Only Kindness Rescue.

Our goal is to make a greater impact throughout New Jersey until every homeless pet has a family, and there are adequate services of co-sheltering programs available to keep domestic violence victims protected together with their pets.

Please email info@onlykindnessrescue.org or call 973-897-7170.