A pet food fundraiser has been launched in memory of Sierra Loades, a 12-year-old being remembered by friends and family as a little girl with a big heart.

The Viking Holden and Area Food Bank will be the recipients of the pet food, so the organization can feed not only hungry patrons but their pets as well.

“Sierra loved anything to do with animals,” said her mother, Krissy. She owned many pets and wanted to work with animals.

“She was definitely a cat whisperer,” said Krissy, and had a special love for Buttercup, her kitty who is now 12 years of age. The two were so close that Sierra would take Buttercup rafting on the water together. And both enjoyed the outing!

With the third anniversary of Sierra’s accidental passing, which took place on June 10, 2018, the people who loved her felt it was time to do something to honour her memory.

And what better idea could there be than to do a fundraiser for her animal friends.

“It just seemed to be a good fit,” said Krissy.

“We wanted it to be local. We’re from here, all of our friends are from here.” With the knowledge of Sierra’s love of pets, the idea of fundraising for pet food so people in dire straits could feed their pets was brought up and decided upon.

“I would hate to have to give them away because I couldn’t make ends meet,” said Krissy, of the pets.

“For some people, their pet is all they have, it’s their lifeline,” said Viking/Beaver FCSS Director Dawn Chrystian, who helped initiate the drive in the community.

Krissy said the bins being used to collect the food have already been placed in various locations as a reminder of the fundraiser, which runs from June 6 to June 12.

Pet food can be donated in these bins located at Viking/Beaver FCSS, AG Foods, Viking Meats, ATB Financial and Vision Credit Union.

Or, people can donate cash, or cheques made out to the Food Bank (stating Pet Food Fundraiser on the line item), to ATB Financial, Vision Credit Union and Viking/Beaver FCSS.

There is also the option of mailing a cheque to Box 731, Viking, AB, T0B 4N0. Receipts are available upon request.

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Patricia Harcourt
Editor