CULLMAN, Ala. – On Saturday morning, 11-year-old animal advocate Denna Chivers, along with her family and friends, filled almost half of the Seventh Street Baptist Church parking lot with items for her annual fundraising rummage sale to benefit the Cullman County Animal Shelter. Shopper turnout was strong, and sales were brisk and constant.
Around lunchtime, Chivers told The Tribune, “It’s been very busy. Me and my friend Gracie (Moody) have been here; I’ve been here since like 4 or 5 in the morning, and she’s been here since 8. Me and her have just been working with the cashier stuff, and it’s been very busy!”
Last year, Chivers raised enough money to purchase and install a pavilion outside the shelter for use by workers taking animals out for exercise.
Asked what this year’s funds will go to, Chivers replied, “It just depends on how much money I get. If I get a lot, then I’m probably going to do something really big, I guess, like I did last year. And then, if I only get less money than I did last year, then I’ll just buy some supplies that they need or something. I’m really hoping I can double what I made last year.”
Chivers’ 2018 total was $1,400. As the sale was still in progress when The Tribune visited, this year’s total was not available.
Chivers had words of praise for her supporters, saying, “I just wanted to say thank you for all the people that have donated stuff to my yard sale, and that I’m really thankful for them. And I hope that all the animals at the animal shelter find a good home one day, because of all the money I’ve raised.”
This was Chivers’ third annual fundraising sale. She intends to be an animal advocate for life, with plans to pursue a career as a veterinarian.
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