The Second Annual Vendor Fair for Tabby’s Tails

Participants in Sunday’s Second Annual Vendor Fair for Tabby’s Tails congregate around Santa and fury friend, Flex, one of several animals joining in on the event to help raise critical funds for a Newburgh animal shelter.
Participants in Sunday’s Second Annual Vendor Fair for Tabby’s Tails congregate around Santa and fury friend, Flex, one of several animals joining in on the event to help raise critical funds for a Newburgh animal shelter.

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – It’s been eight years since Tabitha Cruz lost her life at 20 years of age to senseless guns violence at a Halloween Party in the City of Newburgh, and not one day passes that her mother Jeannette Drake does not reflect upon the incredibly special person her daughter was as well as the passionate dreams she possessed, precious pieces she has been determined to keep alive.

That purpose was realized when Drake created the not-for profit: Tabby’s Tails, a tribute to and beacon of light for an intense love which resided close to Cruz’s heart: animals as well as everyone and everything that impacts their well-being. In school pursuing her dream job of becoming a veterinarian at the time of her fatal shooting, Cruz was also in the midst of ensuring animals could have a safe home through her efforts directed at starting an animal shelter in her native Newburgh city.

Santa and canine friend, Flex, take time out from the festivities at Sunday's Second Annual Vendor Fair for Tabby's Tails, an organization to assist animals owners with financial burdens as well as help create a much- needed animal shelter in the City of Newburgh.
Santa and canine friend, Flex, take time out from the festivities at Sunday’s Second Annual Vendor Fair for Tabby’s Tails, an organization to assist animals owners with financial burdens as well as help create a much- needed animal shelter in the City of Newburgh.

“Tabby’s Tails is an organization that symbolizes what my daughter stood for with her deep love for animals, being a free spirit and constantly giving back to her community,”

explained Drake about the organization that aspires to help offset the financial burdens that too often accompany pet ownership. “Our big, physical goal remains to start up Tabitha’s dream shelter vision, something that has been temporarily curtailed due to space concerns, but we will continue to raise funds as well as advocate for the importance of it to the Newburgh community which lacks one.”

To that very committed end, such venues as Sunday’s Second Annual Vendor Fair for Tabby’s Tails will remain mainstays in the community. Held inside the Newburgh Armory Unity Center, the holiday season Fair featured 30 vendors offering an eclectic selection of hand-crafted and homemade items. Photo opportunities were also available with a jolly Santa Claus, who could be seen interacting with children as well as receiving several, energetic furry friend visitors representing the spirit of the day. Further, a new feature was included this year: an Animal Pantry, providing pivotal food and a host of accessory items for both cats and dogs, carrying on Cruz’s and Tabby Tails’ missions of offsetting financial hardships related to pet ownership, an especially challenging task this time of the year. In addition to drop-offs being available at several local businesses, they also included a Newburgh Free Academy North High School option, thanks to freshman, Alayah Hill.

Ashley Bellamy, owner of Treats by Bellamy, was one of 30 vendors taking part in Sunday's Second Annual Vendor Fair for Tabby's Tails, an organization focused on assisting animals and pet owners as well as helping make a critically needed animal shelter a reality in the City of Newburgh.
Ashley Bellamy, owner of Treats by Bellamy, was one of 30 vendors taking part in Sunday’s Second Annual Vendor Fair for Tabby’s Tails, an organization focused on assisting animals and pet owners as well as helping make a critically needed animal shelter a reality in the City of Newburgh.

“When I found out Jeanette wanted to start a pet pantry, I immediately brought up the idea of getting my school involved,” said Hill, a part of Tabby’s Tails as well as a member of her Student Government and an Ambassador for leadership-real world focused New York Gear Up. “I wanted to use my connections to bring the pantry directly to my school, and the reaction was really good; kids learned about Tabby’s Tails and how good it made them feel to give back to their community.” Hill added, “I learned in eighth grade how important it is to get involved with community; it teaches you leadership and responsibility which gets you respect.”

Hill and several of her classmates could be seen handing out treasured pet food and supplies to appreciative pet owner guests, their smiles beaming as they emphatically uttered, “Thank you so, so much.” The elation was equally returned by the high school girls who were learning powerful lessons about the deep rewards laden in the beauty of giving. It was a scene that revealed what lies at the epicenter of the very mission of Tabby’s Tails, incited by Cruz’s dreams: helping animals and their owners flourish and bonding with community while making everyone around you better, happier.

It’s why each of the people who occupied the Newburgh Armory Unity Center showed up Sunday and will continue to do so, supporting the ultimate goal: making Tabitha’s dream animal shelter, right in her City of Newburgh community, a fully realized reality.

Janis Banks, owner of Janis' This- n- That, was one of 30 vendors on hand at the Newburgh Unity Center, for the Second Annual Vendor Fair for Tabby's Tails, an organization focused upon assisting pet owners and animals as well as creating a much- needed animal shelter in the City of Newburgh.
Janis Banks, owner of Janis’ This- n- That, was one of 30 vendors on hand at the Newburgh Unity Center, for the Second Annual Vendor Fair for Tabby’s Tails, an organization focused upon assisting pet owners and animals as well as creating a much- needed animal shelter in the City of Newburgh.

“I’m here today to support this very important cause, something that’s also great for our City of Newburgh, said first year vendor, Ashley Ballamy, owner of Treats by Bellamy, offering delicious homemade sweets. “There are so many homeless animals out there; they need and deserve a home, a shelter, and there would be nothing better than to see one here in Newburgh.”

To learn more about Tabby’s Tails, Tabitha’s life and-or how you can donate and be a part of the critical journey of bringing an animal shelter to Newburgh, log onto their webpage: TabbysTails.org

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