LOCKPORT, N.Y. — The Lakeview Animal Sanctuary in Lockport is in its 40th year of serving neglected, abused and unwanted animals.

They say they just want the animals to feel loved until the end of their life.

“They don’t have anybody else," said Shannon Pearson, Lakeview Animal Sanctuary president and director.

The animals of Lakeview Sanctuary live on Shannon Pearson’s property. She and her husband bought the 38.6-acre land and now the non-profit needs funds to make the land better for the animals.

“Make bigger pastures, make larger living spaces, um, to pay for their food," Pearson said.

Jodi Lokey is a private events planner and coordinator. She’s been organizing events for the past six years, and every year she picks a different non-profit to support. This year she’s helping to organize the fundraisers for the sanctuary. 

"Every vendor and every crafter that comes into our events makes a basket for a basket raffle, and that money gets donated and goes. All of the proceeds go directly to the sanctuary for feed and hay and anything else that they need," Lokey said.

Jodi doesn’t just organize one fundraiser for her chosen non-profit. She organizes a whole season of events. 

"Because usually, a one-day fundraiser is not enough to help a nonprofit. They need a whole season to get to really what they need for their organization, regardless of the organization, whether it's for animals or if it's for art or whatever," Lokey said.

For Jodi, it’s a great way to give back to the community.

"They do so much. Every nonprofit that we work with. They do so much for our community that the least that I can do and our vendors and crafters can do is make a basket, be there to show up, to sell raffle tickets and help them out," she said.

The next fundraiser for the Lake View Animal Sanctuary is on June 17 at the Cornerstone Arena in Lockport. Jodi says the animals will also be there. 

Shannon says they also need more volunteers. She says the sanctuary is run strictly by volunteers and they currently have a bare-bones crew, they need people to help feed the animals, help maintain the place, drivers for events and more. For information on how to donate you can email jodiklokey@gmail.com.

 Upcoming Events: 

•  July 1-2, Kenan Center — 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
•  Aug. 12, Wendelville Firehall — 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
•  Aug. 13, Rusty Nickel Brewery — 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
•  Sept. 10, 10-3 Rapids Firehall — 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
•  Oct. 15, 10-3 Rapids Firehall — 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
•  Nov. 19, Rapids Firehall — 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
•  Dec. 10, Rapids Firehall — 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.