Guests at the Kentucky Derby party held by Signal Mountain residents Dale and Laurie Buchanan and Bill and Linda Nelson raised $600 for the new 4 Paws pet food pantry.The Kentucky Derby lasts only a few minutes, but the money raised through a few Signal Mountain residents' annual Kentucky Derby party could help a local agency provide food for animals for weeks.
Dale and Laurie Buchanan and Bill and Linda Nelson have hosted a Kentucky Derby party benefiting local organizations for the past three years. The first party occurred just after the April 2011 tornadoes, and Linda Nelson said they surprised their guests and asked upon their arrival if they would like to give their winnings to tornado victims in nearby Ringgold, Ga.
"Everyone enthusiastically agreed," she said, and they ended up raising $300 that year.
The next year Signal Mountain Social Services was chosen as the beneficiary, and around $400 was raised.
This year's party benefited 4 Paws, the new pet food pantry being opened in Red Bank by Signal Mountain business owner Betty Crawford, of 12 Paws Pet Bakery.
"Signal Mountain Travel is right next door to 12 Paws, and Betty and I both have a love of dogs," said Linda Nelson, who owns the local travel company. "I just think it's a fantastic idea and I would love for the community to support her in any way possible."
She added that she would love to continue the party every year.
"We all enjoy it so much, I'm sure we will," Linda Nelson said.