bead bracelet for sale by Beading Divas to the Rescue, courtesy of Michelle Caillet

Fellow Tucsoncitizen.com blogger Karyn Zoldan (“From Market to Food Market”) and six other Tucson women (photo below) create and sell $20 bracelets made with donated beads and have already raised over $25,500. These Beading Divas have given the money to 16 different animal charities in four states.

bead bracelet, courtesy of Michelle Caillet

For the month of December, the sale of bracelets will benefit one of these animal organizations in Tucson, Animal Emergency Care Fund. When people donate beads now through December 31 , they can sign up for a chance for their favorite animal charity to receive bracelet proceeds in February.

These Beading Divas to the Rescue members are running out of beads and are now asking for the public’s assistance, as they need all sorts of beads (per Karyn):

“unworn beaded jewelry, old beads, new beads, recycled beads and craft box, yard sale, and thrift store beads”.

Beads can be dropped off at these locations:

• Silver Sea Jewelry & Gifts, 330 N. Fourth Ave. (Beads may be mailed there, too.)

• Buhrke’s Pet Resort, 8181 W. Tangerine Road.

• Greyt Escape on the far east side; call 955-9061 for directions.

• Dirty Dawgs Dog Wash, 2510 N. Campbell Ave.

• CataVinos Wine Shoppe, 3063 N. Alvernon Way.

For people who are elderly or with disabilities, the Divas group can arrange to pick up donated beads and bead jewelry.

“I’m thrilled that some local businesses stepped up to the plate to be bead drop venues,” said Karyn Zoldan. “What we’re doing here is a grassroots community effort.”

Call 520-318-1222 for more information, or log onto their Greyhound Injury Fund blogsite for more info:
http://greyhoundinjuryfund.wordpress.com/.

Beading Divas: Back row left to right: Glenda Taylor, Lizzie Mead, Angy Shearer, Cynthia David; Bottom left to right: Michelle Caillet, Karyn Zoldan, Loren Dawn

The mission of the Animal Emergency Care Fund:

“To provide assistance with the cost of life saving emergency veterinary care.

To provide assistance with wellness visits and pet food supplies for families who cannot afford basic pet care.”

What a great concept to recycle beads, create beautiful bracelets,and help animals as well.