Hot chocolate with a cop

By McCook Gazette
Original article HERE

Sisters Lillian, left, and Lainie Allen drink hot chocolate and represent the Cat Pack, youth fund-raisers for the McCook Humane Society and animal shelter, during the “Coffee with a Cop” community open forum session Tuesday at Sehnert’s Bakery in downtown McCook. The girls explained the beginnings of the group with founders Sarah and Chloe Dixon’s cat named “Switch” and how they’ve progressed from small fundraising projects to larger projects like yearly calendars and a deck of cards. Lillian said that all proceeds from their projects go to the animal shelter. Shelter director Lorie Prestes said it averages $98 in food, vet bills, spay/neuter and staff and shelter costs to take care of a “furkid” until it’s adopted into its “furever home.” The shelter is funded with donations and adoption fees, but, Lorie said, “We’d go broke without the fundraisers.” She is impressed, too, with the Cat Pack’s educational aspect, teaching the importance of the proper care of animals and the value of adoption. The girls, and their mother, Angela, suggested to Coffee with a Cop participants like Dennis Berry that the calendars and cards would make great Christmas gifts, and are available at the shelter at 100 South Street; at the New Life Book Store at 212 Norris; and at the McCook EDC office in the Keystone Business Center at 402 Norris Ave.