Penticton man raises $21k in one weekend for local SPCA

Photo: Chelsea Powrie

Left to right: Carolyn Hawkins, Brad Parkin and Barry Zarudenec celebrate Zarudenec's donation to the local BC SPCA.

Penticton carpenter Barry Zarudenec first held a fundraising for the SPCA five years ago, with the goal of raising $1,500. 

As an animal lover, he just wanted to help out. 

"It's just a charity I like to give to," he explained. 

Five years later, the annual fundraiser has picked up a following and has surpassed its fundraising goals each year. On Tuesday morning, he presented a cheque for $21,036.60 to the Penticton SPCA, the results of his Oct. 5 fundraiser night at the Copper Mug Pub. 

"A lot of people come out, it's a lot of support. This year especially," Zarudenec said. 

The event involves a live and silent auction and entertainment, all run and organized by Zarudenec himself in his free time. 

"Basically about 80 per cent is me," he said. "But I get a lot of help from the Copper Mug and their staff."

Brad Parkin with the Copper Mug Pub said he is happy to be involved. 

"It's pretty amazing how much money he can raise. I come out of retirement and get in the kitchen ... I volunteer my time, I don't pay myself for the time I'm in the kitchen," Parkin said. 

And the SPCA is always grateful for the funds. 

"It's just amazing. Barry's always supporting us, and it's just amazing what he's doing for the animals in our community," said Carolyn Hawkins, South Okanagan Similkameen SPCA branch manager. 

Zarudenec plans to continue the fundraiser next year, and is extremely grateful to the people and businesses whose donations have made the fundraiser flourish year after year. 

"We haven't discussed whether we're going to set another goal next year, $20,000 is a lot of money to raise in this town," he said.

"If we keep it around that every year, that's fine by me."