Winston Wells ball field will be the place to be on Saturday, October 20, for the ACC Flea Market.
The annual Animal Care Center flea market scheduled for Saturday, October 20, is all set to go.
The banner reminding St. John visitors and residents is up on the fence of the Winston Wells ball field in Cruz Bay where the flea market will run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on October 20.
Jennifer Troisi, creator of ACC’s special caterer, “Top Dogs,” promises that good, old-fashioned fair foods will be available in abundance like icy cold drinks, fresh salad and designer hot dogs.
Troisi thanked Starfish Market for donating $100 towards food supplies for the flea market. She also thanked Merchants Market for giving Top Dogs and ACC a 15 percent discount above its wholesale prices to help out with ACC’s expenses for hosting the fundraiser. Top Dogs Sally Nelson, Kate Norfleet, and Karen Radke will be helping Troisi prepare food and serve it on the day of the event.
Island residents who have goods to donate for sale at the market can still bring them to the ACC shelter on the library road in Cruz Bay. Kate Webster, ACC’s Shelter Manager, said she still has space for storing smaller donated goods.
ACC Flea Market Chairperson Jason Corley thanked Sky Blue Development for donating storage space for overflow at their property above Kilroy’s Dry Cleaners.
ACC Director Oriel Smith is now back on island after his September holiday and can be contacted at oriel.smith@att.net for pickup of larger donated items.
Although this year’s “No Fleas, Please” will not be selling used clothing, ACC is working with Celia Kalousek of St. John Community Foundation to see that any donated clothing which comes to ACC will be distributed at the forthcoming Homeless Connect.
The ACC is suffering from a $20,000 funding shortfall this year to date. Expenses have been high with primary costs going to veterinary fees and for salaries of the shelter’s two full-time and two part-time staff members.
ACC is hoping that the flea market will bring in money to help defray the shortfall. Last year’s flea market netted $8,000, and if that sum can be matched this year, ACC can continue providing food, shelter, and medicine for the island’s homeless cats and dogs.
Every penny cleared at the flea market will go directly to caring for the island’s needy companion animals.