Picture this, you can help Village Trappers with their TNR mission by going on vacation
What’s better than a scavenger hunt?
A scavenger hunt that helps homeless cats.
That’s what Village Trappers, led by TNR advocate Rita Shicunoff, is planning, and while the goal is to make money to help spay and neuter homeless feral cats, they’re hoping it brings a lot of fun and excitement to the fundraiser.
All you need is two fingers, though a big smile would be nice too.
The group, based out of Cumberland County, lined up 27 sponsors that each picked a location for the hunt. People who want to help the cause just need to go to the sites and post a photo on the events Facebook page. That’s when the sponsors make their donation.
It’s a great cause, and the money is definitely needed.
“The Village Trappers are a group of dedicated volunteers that want to end the overpopulation and suffering of feral cats and to help the friendly cats and kittens that are found living outside find forever homes with the help of our local rescue partners,” said Village Trappers president Toni Coslop.
The help is very much needed, but when Shicunoff, a Millville resident, was coming up with ideas, she wanted something that would bring the people together and let them have fun while raising money for the kitties.
“(Sponsorships costs) $50 within the U.S. and $100 internationally,” said Shicunoff, who does a little bit of everything to help Village Trappers, including transports and making appointments for the cats’ surgery. “The sponsors picked their location. Now it’s all ready, the 27 places are on Facebook. All anyone has to do, for example, Mount Rushmore is one, if you go, take a picture doing the Village Trapper sign, which is really the peace sign, but we say the V is for Village, and post it on Facebook. Once that’s posted, the sponsor will send the money for Village Trappers.
“It’s a simple concept, and I thought it was a good way to help people who had never heard of Village Trappers get involved. It’s fun, too, you see people’s pictures. We wanted it to be fun, but also wanted to help.”
If every location is conquered, it will raise $1,700. Not only is it enough to fix 21 cats, but it’s also a great way to let people know about Village Trapper and the cause.”
The contest just began, and it runs through the end of 2024.
The following is a list of places in the contest, as well as the sponsors. Take a picture giving the peace symbol (no old photos, that's cheating), and post it to Facebook.
The Tipping Lantern at Worlds End National Park in Norway, sponsored by Millie Collazo
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, sponsored by Marie Casadia
Old Faithful Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, sponsored by Marie Casadia
Trevi Fountain in Rome, sponsored by Anthony Casadia
Watkins Glen State Park, Watkins Glen, New York, sponsored by Anthony Casadia
Ricketts Glen State Park. Benton, Pennsylvania, sponsored by Mary Leshay
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Chincoteague Island, Virginia, sponsored by Mary Leshay
Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon, Arizona, sponsored by Maryalice Robinson
Gingerbread Mansion in Ferndale, California, sponsored by Sandy Anderson
911 Memorial Pentagon, Washington D.C., sponsored by Sandy Anderson
The Great Sphinx in Giza, Egypt, sponsored by Sandy Anderson
Ritidian Beach in Guam, sponsored by Sandy Anderson
Blue Lagoon Geothermal Pool, Iceland, sponsored by Sandy Anderson
Trenton Thunder Ballpark in Trenton, sponsored by sponsor Granny’s Korn
Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor Maine, sponsored by Dale Mihlebach
Bellagio Fountain in Las Vegas, sponsored by Donna Shafer
Atlantic County Park Sign in Estell Manor, sponsored by Tails Up Paws Down Rescue
The Cape May Lewis Ferry in Cape May, sponsored by Dale Mihlebach
Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, sponsored by Toni Coslop
NATUWA Wildlife Sanctuary in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, sponsored by Toni Coslop
Haunted Mansion Magic Kingdom in Orlando, sponsored by Gina Mason
Rocki and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, sponsored by Gina Mason
Hotel Del Coronado at Coronado Island, California, sponsored by Camille Riggins
Miss America statue, Kennedy Plaza, Atlantic City, sponsored by Barbara Bach
Bourbon Street Sign, New Orleans, sponsored by Al Bach
USS Arizona Memorial Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii, sponsored by Granny’s Popcorn
Devil’s Tower National Monument in Crook County, Wyoming, sponsored by John Shicunoff
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Village Trappers 'scavenger hunt' helps people have fun, cats