NORTH CONWAY, NH — In a heartwarming show of community spirit, Badger Peabody & Smith Realty's Maine Team group raised and donated $2,389 to support Harvest Hills Animal Shelter in Fryeburg, Maine. This remarkable effort was part of the team's ongoing 2024 partnership with the shelter, which aimed to not only provide much-needed funds but also to raise awareness about the shelter's vital role in caring for abandoned and neglected animals.

With creativity and compassion at the forefront, the partnership spearheaded two standout events: a Pet Photo Contest and a Kitten Shower, both of which brought the community together in celebration of these special animals. These efforts not only generated critical financial support but also sparked increased social awareness about the shelter's mission and needs.

Pet owners were invited to showcase their beloved pets in the Pet Photo Contest, with a modest $10 entry fee per submission. Each vote, priced at just $1, helped bring the community together and raised additional funds for the shelter.

In total, 29 delightful pet entries graced this year's contest. Wendy Holmes took first place in the "people's choice" division with an irresistible photo of a puppy named Louie, while Katheryn Armstrong claimed second place with a snapshot of an adorable cat, "M". "The contest wasn't just about winning, though – it was about raising funds for the shelter and bringing smiles to everyone who participated, viewed and voted for these joyful entries", said contest co-chair Bernadette (Bernie) Donohue.

The competition also included a juried category, where a distinguished panel of judges was tasked with selecting the best overall photos, based on creativity and appeal. The judges, thoughtfully selected by co-chair Tara Peirce, included Joan McBurnie, Executive Director of Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, Ed Mercer of Mercer Photography in Bridgton, ME, and Kristen Charette, Vice President Mortgage Loan Officer at Norway Savings Bank.

Michelle Lloyd was awarded first place for her heartwarming photo of Sage, and Celeste Bison earned second place for the touching image of Sadie Mae. If you would like to see all 29 entries, check out the leader board for contest entries and winners at https://www.facebook.com/MaineTeamRealEstate

"What a great, fun group of professionals to work with. We had never done a kitten shower or photo contest before, and we are so excited to continue these fundraisers. These events allowed us to highlight the pets in our lives and raise much-needed funds and supplies for the shelter." said McBurnie.

Due to the overwhelming success of the photo contest, co-chairs Peirce and Donohue expressed excitement for continuing this event in the future. "We will definitely be doing this contest again in 2025," they said, encouraging pet owners to stay tuned for upcoming details through our MaineTeamRealEstate Facebook group and https://www.gogophotocontest.com/harvesthillsanimalshelter

Not to be outdone, the Kitten Shower, co-chaired by Jeana Hale-DeWitt and Rick Swasey, was another crowd favorite. The event gathered essential supplies to support the shelter's daily operations, ensuring that kittens in need are cared for while awaiting adoption or foster homes. "It was a fun way to involve the community in a family friendly party-like atmosphere, all while raising awareness for the shelter's kitten adoption and foster programs," noted DeWitt. The outpouring of support at the Kitten Shower demonstrated that small, community-focused events can have a big impact when it comes to ensuring the well-being of animals in need. 

The Maine Team at Badger Peabody & Smith Realty created and executed these fundraising efforts. In addition to co-chairs Peirce, Donohue, DeWitt, and Swasey, the Maine Team of REALTORS® also includes Kathleen Sullivan-Head, Austin Hale, David Cianciolo, Kevin Killourie, Malcolm Badger, Nubian Duncan and Brendan Battenfelder, Vice President of Sales at Badger Peabody & Smith Realty. Each member of the team played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of these events.

Due to the success of these events, Badger Peabody & Smith Realty has recently taken another step in helping local animal shelters. With their prominent office location in downtown North Conway they are featuring pets available for adoption or fostering from both Harvest Hills and Conway Humane Society, in their 24/7 display windows. "Stop by and take a look – you may just find your next family member." said Battenfelder.

No successful event is complete without the support of local businesses, the backbone of the community. Trumbull's Hardware, Bee Lunar Company, 302 West Smoke House & Tavern, and Spice & Grain Natural Foods, Top of the Ninth/Fryeburg House of Pizza, all located in Fryeburg, ME, as well as Four Your Paws Only, Paris Farmer's Union, PetSmart, and Hannaford in North Conway, were among the generous local sponsors who provided prizes and helped make the Pet Photo Contest and Kitten Shower possible. Their contributions underscored the power of partnerships between local businesses, charitable organizations and volunteerism in making a tangible difference for causes that matter.

Located at 1389 Bridgton Rd, Fryeburg, ME, Harvest Hills Animal Shelter is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping abandoned, neglected, and stray animals find a safe home. Contracting with 20 towns in Western Maine, the shelter works closely with local animal control officers to care for cats and dogs in need. Additionally, they welcome owner-surrendered pets from nearby communities and assist other shelters in ensuring adoptable animals are not euthanized. The shelter continually seeks foster homes for its animals, as space is often limited. Those interested in adopting or fostering can contact Harvest Hills at 207-935-4358 or visit their website at www.harvesthills.org for more information.

The future is bright for these fundraising efforts, and Badger Peabody & Smith Realty has always been a significant player in sponsoring and hosting events. They continue to be excited to participate in partnership with their communities served by the 8 office locations throughout the state.

Badger Peabody & Smith Realty is the Mt. Washington Valley, North Country, Lakes Region of NH, Western Maine and Northeast Kingdom of Vermont representative of LeadingRE®. With a membership that spans six continents, LeadingRE connects more than 550 firms and 135,000 sales associates who produce over 1.1 million real estate transactions each year. With combined resources of over 60 full time agents, and eight offices, Badger Peabody & Smith Realty can be reached online at BadgerPeabodySmith.com.