Craft, vendor show planned in Parks Township to benefit animal sickness research

Vandergrift’s Joni Bertelle once bought a severely neglected horse for $2 at a livestock auction and tried to nurse the animal back to health, but it died of colic six months later.

After Bertelle’s dog of 16 years, Trixie Lee, died of cancer, she created Pawz for Cure in 2017 — selling hand-made items for pets to raise money for animal cancer research.

“My animals are like my kids. They’re my motivation. They don’t have a voice, and they need one,” said Bertelle, 31.

Now she’s partnering with Parks Township-based Champion’s Crusaders Rescue to raise more money for animal cancer research and for horse colic research.

She is hosting her first fundraising event next month. Pawz Craft N Vendor Show is set for April 10 at the Parks Township Volunteer Fire Company. She’s lined up about 30 vendors so far.

Champion’s Crusaders Rescue opened last September and has placed more than 60 cats and dogs.

Owner and director Amber Phillips said she will have about eight animals, including a basset hound-beagle mix named Trigger, at the event.

“Trigger was found in a van and was beaten,” Phillips said.

Bertelle said she needs more vendors and food trucks for the show. She said about 10 vendor spots remain.

Vendor tables are priced at $25 each, or two for $35. Space for food trucks is $50.

“We need food trucks. I’d like to see five. We only have Kona Ice booked so far,” Bertelle said.

The deadline to register vendors and food trucks is Saturday, March 27.

“It’s important to have this because cancer doesn’t stop because of covid. The need is great,” Bertelle said. “Why should we stop because of covid?”

Proceeds will be donated to the Morris Animal Foundation and locally to Champion’s Crusaders Rescue and Fox Run Equine Center.

Children’s events include a free egg hunt at 2 p.m., a craft table, games, treat bags and a $1 duck pond carnival-style game. An auction and raffle also are planned.