LISBON — Sandy & Beaver Insurance Company donated $5,061 to the Columbiana County Dog Pound & Adoption Center in memory of the late longtime volunteer Tammy Siefke on Monday.
The downtown insurance company hosted its inaugural free “Breakfast Club” cookout in front of its offices last Friday, serving up scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, and coffee to anyone who stopped by. The dog pound also brought one of the dogs available for adoption, Ember, a mixed breed, to the breakfast.
More than $1,600 was donated by passersby during the three-hour event. Sandy & Beaver matched the donations and rounded it up to $5,000, Sandy & Beaver employee Glenn McMillian said.
“It was a great time,” he said. “It was a great turnout.”
President Jim Sanor said Sandy & Beaver is a dog-friendly business and was looking for a way to involve the community and raise money for the dog pound in honor of Siefke.
“We felt this was a way to help out the community. You guys are doing a nice job,” he said of the dog pound.
The dog pound posted a heartfelt tribute to Siefke on its Facebook page, along with a call for donations in her honor.
The post said that no matter the weather, for 15 years, Seifke would show up three days each week to walk the dogs. She also helped many dogs find new homes.
“Needless to say, the normal volunteer days are already different without her physical presence, but she will remain in the hearts of all,” the post reads.
More than $11,000 in donations have been received so far, according to Columbiana County Dog Warden Heidi Wallace.
“They were pouring in,” Wallace said. “Our hands hurt from writing thank you cards because there were so many.”
The dog pound has already bought a bench, installed a concrete picnic area for all the volunteers, and is planning to plant a dogwood tree, Wallace said.
To donate, drop off cash or mail a check to Columbiana County Dog Pound, 8455 County Home Road, Lisbon, OH, 44432.