April 19, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb Animal Coalition is closing its Restore known as “The DAC Benefit Place” April 27 and with it will go the primary fundraising source for the shelter.
The coalition has been operating the Restore for more than three years at 110 West Walnut Street but the building has been sold. The new owner plans to put a restaurant there. With no new location in which to move the Restore will be closing April 27.
In the meantime, the DAC is holding a huge indoor yard sale Friday and Saturday, April 19-20, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to move the remaining merchandise and everything must go. All proceeds will benefit the animal shelter.
“The store has been the DAC’s primary fundraiser for the 3 1/2 years it has been open. All merchandise is donated and all workers are volunteers. Use of the building was generously donated by Donnie and Robin Driver so utilities were the only expenses. All proceeds go to the DAC Shelter. Among the big items that have been purchased with money from the store are a tractor-trailer container which holds a year’s supply of dog and cat food, a stainless steel dog tub and quick drier, a stainless laboratory examination table, medicines, vet bills, supplies; and most recently, store funds are paying for chain link exercise runs for dogs,” said a spokesperson for the DAC.
Although the DAC Shelter will remain in operation, the loss of this revenue source will have an impact.
“The loss of funding from the store will be a huge hit for the DAC. We have other ongoing fund raisers, such as contribution cylinders, memorial bricks and donations, and grants, but we are going to have to work extra hard to find a project that will equal our income from the store. I do want to thank the Drivers and all the volunteers who worked so hard to make the store a success. And I hope everyone will come to our yard sale these next two weekends and buy a lot of stuff, whether you need it or not,” said a DAC spokesperson.
Every item will be marked down to rock-bottom prices. Merchandise includes household items, small kitchen appliances, pots, pans, cutlery, bedding, curtains; electronics, printers, radios, tv’s, computer monitors, CD players; furniture, dining tables, side tables, coffee tables, chairs; clothing, shoes; decorative items, crafts, pictures, books, games, toys, Easter baskets and Easter decorations.
The animal shelter, located at 186 Transfer Station Road behind Tenneco Automotive is staffed by two full time employees who work for the coalition but are paid by the City of Smithville. Although the shelter is open to the public only three days a week on Thursday and Friday from noon until 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon the employees and volunteers care for the animals seven days a week.