Submitted by Oly Cider Fest
The 2022 Oly Cider Fest on July 30 at Lacey’s Huntamer Park is focused on helping pets in need, by providing financial aid with emergency veterinary bills for animals in the Nisqually Valley. The second annual Cider Fest is hosted by the Nisqually Veterinary Hospital’s Charlie’s Fund 501(c)3 and catered by Olympia’s The Cider Barrel. The event is sponsored by Lacey City Council member Michael Steadman and Country Financial’s David Bader. Tickets are on sale now at the Oly Cider Fest website.
“Our mission is to provide emergency medical intervention to pets in our community when their owners are unable to afford it. We’ve helped provide medications, emergency surgeries, and lifesaving diagnostics,” says Hannah Sak, Nisqually Veterinary Clinic’s practice manager. “One of the biggest issues that pet owners face is the unexpected cost of emergency medical bills, which sometimes prevents them from bringing in their pet at all. The goal of Charlie’s Fund is to help bridge that gap so that no animal suffers.”
Charlie’s Fund was named after an older dog, Charlie, that was found wandering the streets of Rainier, Washington by a good Samaritan. Charlie was brought into the Nisqually Veterinary Clinic during its first week of operation in 2009. Since that time, Charlie’s Fund has helped hundreds of animals, offering heavily discounted services, creating a symbiotic relationship between those seeking help and those looking to help, within the space of pet healthcare.
“The response to Charlie’s Fund being a part of the 2022 Oly Cider Fest has been amazing,” says Heather Thurman, public relations director for Oly Cider Fest and veterinary assistant for the Nisqually Veterinary Clinic. “Ticket sales have already been at a record pace; we’re expecting a large crowd to help foster a great fundraising cause. The funds raised will provide assistance to so many pets that otherwise may not have been able to receive quality care simply due to financial concerns. ”
The 2022 Oly Cider Fest will offer more than 40 regional hard ciders, catered by The Cider Barrel. Tickets are $30 for six 4-ounce tastes, and include a pup-themed souvenir taster mug. There will also be food options available, including K-Komida’s famous birria tacos and Oly Dog House hot dogs, at the event. The Cider Barrel also catered last year’s Cider Fest in downtown Olympia, which had over 350 people attend.
“We like partnering on these functions that help fundraise for great non-profits in our area,” says Troy Kirby, owner of The Cider Barrel. “When this opportunity to help support Charlie’s Fund was brought to me, I jumped at it. There’s an added bonus of working with the two leads of this project, Hannah Sak and Heather Thurman, who have the passion required behind the project to make this event a hit.”
