Giant Gymnastics hosts pet portrait fundraiser

Sparta — For most pet owners, our cats, dogs, rabbits and such aren’t pets, they are members of our family. These furry friends come into our lives and enrich them with unconditional love, and even help teach our children responsibility for another living being. At Giant Gymnastics, owners John Skorski and Jennifer Packard have enjoyed that unconditional love from their cat, Brutis, whom they adopted from Father John’s Animal House in Lafayette. In an effort to pay that love forward, each fall, Skorski and Packard hold fundraisers at their two locations for Father John’s.

This year they’re shaking up things from their usual pet items drive and have arranged special holiday pet photo sessions. On Wednesday, Dec. 18, Giant Gymnastics of Sparta will hold two sessions for your family — furry ones especially — to come in to the gym and attend a special pet photo session. The cost of the event is a $10 donation to Father John’s Animal Shelter. After the 10-15 minute session, you’ll receive a four-by-six photo encased in a special holiday themed card.

“I was pleased to become involved in this fundraiser for Father John’s Animal House as soon as Jen approached me to help," said volunteer professional photographer Diane Lizza. "I am hopeful that with the help of this animal portrait fundraiser, loving homes will be found for the pets in the care of Father John’s Animal House, in addition to raising the necessary funding for the costs for helping and sheltering the animals in their care. Also, I love doing animal portraits!”

Everyone who attends this event will also be entered into a drawing for a free portrait studio session with Lizza at Maplecroft Studio in Newton. And, those wanting more prints of their pet photos can do so at the conclusion of their pet portrait session. While walk-ins will be welcome, it is highly recommended that your reserve your time slot, so as not to leave furry family members waiting too long for their big moment. The morning session will begin at 10 a.m. and the evening session at 4 p.m..

To reserve your pet photo time slot, call Giant Gymnastics at 973-579-9400. For more information about supporting or adopting from Father John’s Animal House call 973-300-5909.