Fundraising Effort to Help Animals by RI Artists Kicksoff this Weekend - Introducing “Superkitty”

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Friday, May 13, 2011

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Team

This weekend kicksoff a RI effort to support the rescue of animals adversely affected by the disasters in Japan. Akiko Omori, who lived in Japan all of her life before moving to the US in 1989 has taken her love of pottery and animals and created a unique character called "SuperKitty" which she will introduce for the first time on Saturday, May 14th at the Dew Claw studio in Pawtucket, RI pottery studio that she works out of. While watching the horrific events surrounding the devastation of her homeland unfold before her eyes on television - Omori decided to combine her two loves to help animals that have been stranded in Japan. If badly needed help does not continue - many of the abandoned animals will not survive the harsh conditions they are being subjected to day after day.  
 
One Month After the Quake
 
Omori, who has been toying with the idea of her special "SuperKitty" character for some time, which includes a customized "SuperKitty" cape is a cartoon-like cat, says the idea to raise money for the animals who STILL need to be rescued hit her while watching heart breaking video from Japan one month after the deadly quake hit.  Teams of people are in Japan right now trying to free the animals who had no choice but to be separated by their owners.  "I was literally in tears imagining the condition those animals are in - but also the pain family members were going through because they could not take their pets with them in time.  Having 2 cats as pets I know how they become like your children - we love them so much and I couldn't ever think about leaving them behind" Omori said.
 
Omori herself has already donated money to JEARS - (Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue Support) to help raise money for hundreds and hundreds of dogs, cats and other animals that have been abandoned. But, she wants to do more,"hopes animal lovers from all over Southern New England will come" to her fundraiser on Saturday, May 14th at the The Dew Claw Studios located on 545 Pawtucket Ave, in Pawtucket, RI.   

"The vision of a cat trapped inside of the house and waiting somebody at the window stayed with me all night - I can't get that image out of mind.  I was so sad when I went to pottery class the next day after seeing that, I was ready to go to Japan to scoop up all the animals who are waiting to be rescued".  Along with the pottery of Omori and other artists, SuperKitty t-shirts will be available for sale.  (only pottery items with SuperKitty logo and sticker are part of fundraising event)

100% of SuperKItty Proceeds go to help save the animals

In addition, with the  support of Dew Claw pottery studio owners, John & Kris Pedersen, and the hand crafted pottery of Omori and other artists, 100% of all SuperKitty sales made on May14th and May 15th will be sent to the JEARS animal rescue organization.  Organizers hope all animal lovers and even those who may not have a special pet will come to the fundraiser to support this special effort. 

So far, more than $530,000 has been raised for JEARS for these helpless animals and Omori hopes thousands more can be raised during the RI fundraiser. 

For more information about covering the event, or to speak with pottery designer Akiko Omori about her mission of love for the animals of Japan please call 401-683-7807.

 
SuperKitty Pottery Fund-Raiser

Saturday, May 14th - 10am to 7pm
Sunday, May 15th - 12pm to 5pm

Location:  Dew Claw Pottery Studio, 545 Pawtucket Ave, Pawtucket, RI
 

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