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Hug a goat, help a senior.

On Valentines Day, three baby goats will be at Vernon's Animal Auxiliary Thrift Store where, for a donation, people can interact with the little critters.

Gena Barzan, who runs the auxiliary, said money raised from the event will go towards the senior's hamper program.

“It's good therapy,” Barzan said of hugging the baby animals. “We have some people with disabilities being brought in as well.”
Barzan said any can stop by thrift store, 3100A 29th Ave., between 1 and 4 p.m. to get in on the hugging.

There will also be door prizes, but the big winners will be area seniors and pet owners who are struggling to get by.

“The funds are going to go towards buying more cat and dog food and food for the seniors' hampers,” said Barzan who has expanded the mandate of the auxiliary store it include helping seniors in need by providing hampers with food and other items on the last Thursday of each month.

“We get a lot of canned stuff, but we are really lacking in the fresh items,” Barzan said. “We haven't had eggs on a couple of months. We do have ladies who make fresh soup and cookies every month.”

The auxiliary provided 32 hampers in January and is looking to grow the program to a maximum of 52.

It is also part of a network sharing program with the Lake Country Food Bank.

Donations can be made at the auxiliary or by e-transfer at [email protected].

For more information on the auxiliary, visit their Facebook page.