Country Music News for the Country Music Enthusiast

"Stars to the Rescue"

Story  by Glenda S. Paradee

The First Annual "Stars to the Rescue" event to benefit the Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) Phoenix was held on January 31, 2001 at the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona.

The master of ceremonies for the event was ARF’s Co-founder and baseball manager, Tony La Russa. The night’s entertainment included wonderful performances by Bruce Hornsby, Elayne Boosler, Rich Hebert, Huey Lewis, J.T. Taylor (the voice of Kool & The Gang), Kevin Nealon and Wynonna. Also many sports stars were in attendance including our very own Arizona Diamondback pitcher, Randy Johnson. It was nearly a sold out show. The night also included a silent auction with autographed items donated by entertainers-The Judds, The Moody Blues, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Bill Cosby, Clint Black, George Strait and Kenny Rogers. Sports related items included autographed items by Robin Youte, Luis Gonzalez, Sammy Sosa, Phoenix Coyotes, Jason Kidd, Jack Plummer, Kevin Johnson, Chris Mullin, Arizona Rattlers, Phoenix Mercury, Arizona Cardinals and many more.

Funds raised from the first annual star-studded Stars to the Rescue event will assist ARF-Phoenix’s mission of ensuring the humane treatment of companion animals and bringing people and animals together to enrich each other’s lives. Homeward Bound, a transitional housing program for abused women and children, will benefit from these funds, providing animal assisted activities to help children and teens. A unique component of ARF is the recognition that animals have a magical effect on people with special circumstances. In addition, ARF assists local no-kill shelters as well as other animal-people connect programs. For further information, please call (602) 548-8631.

Homeward Bound is a private, nonprofit, grassroots corporation, is helping to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for children and their families. Since 1990, they have assisted homeless, low income (but working) families in Maricopa County, Arizona, regain control of their lives and become self-sufficient. For more information contact:

Homeward Bound
The Thunderbirds Family Village
2302 W. Colter St.
Phoenix, AZ 85015
(602) 263-7654

Children from Homeward Bound & dogs from the Maricopa County Animal Control Service	Tony LaRussa, Jeremy Roenick (Phoenix Coyotes)  and Randy Johnson (pitcher from the Arizona Diamondbacks)
Elaine LaRussa, Tony LaRussa, Wynonna and comedian Kevin Nealon	Wynonna, comedian Kevin Nealon and Dr. Pamela Martin, head of Homeward Bound
Homeward Bound children with shelter pups

People Rescuing Animals and Animals Rescuing People…
A letter from Tony La Russa
Manager, St. Louis Cardinals
Co-founder of the Animal Rescue Foundation

In 1991, my wife, Elaine and I created the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) to help companion animals. Now, as we celebrate ARF’s 10^th anniversary, we are very proud that ARF has grown into a nationally respected organization known for creating groundbreaking programs. With our expansion into Phoenix this past year, the dream has become a reality.

ARF is very proud of the comprehensive array of programs it has developed to promote the role of companion animals in society. Alongside these traditional humane goals, ARF has developed programs that reach out to vulnerable populations such as those at risk for a lifetime of crime, the elderly and ill, and abused children through an animal’s unconditional love. Recently we have embarked on an exciting collaborative project with Homeward Bound at Thunderbird Village to provide animal assisted activities benefiting children and teens. This allows us to teach respect for all life and develop empathy and compassion that is important for healthy emotional growth. Through guided contact with animals, we hope to facilitate the development of these skills as well as teach children how to care for and appropriately interact with animals.

We depend on the compassion of people like you and we appreciate your assistance in supporting Phoenix’ mission of "people rescuing animals and animals rescuing people."

For more information about Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, please contact:

ARF
P. O. Box 30215
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
(800) 567-1ARF (1273)

Visit ARF on their web site at www.tlr-arf.org

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