Who We Are
Our Vision
The vision of the C & C Rescue Foundation is to become an impactful advocate for animals in need and foster a society without strays, displaced, hurt, or abused animals.
Our role is to enhance the community’s awareness and understanding of animal rescue and leverage our relationships with caring organizations that are aligned with our mission of hope.
Our Goals
P – Partner with exceptional organizations that deliver humane support services to animals in need.
E – Execute events, such as our Rescue Rally, to build awareness in our communities and fulfill our mission.
T – Transform the lives of small creatures by advocating for their rights and protecting their well-being.
S – Strengthen our community by building awareness, raising funds, and promoting the essentiality of rescue placements.
Our History
As life-long animal ambassadors and pet parents, Christine Gelsleichter and Colleen Pearce have fought for the rights of those that cannot fight for themselves. In 2010, these two animal lovers decided to organize a small gathering of friends and family to raise funds for charities that shared their passion for animal rescue. This modest gathering was the origin of the event people have come to know as the C & C Rescue Rally.
The event founders wanted to tell their neighbors, close friends, and family members in attendance that each day animals are suffering and that they personally, even in a small way, wanted to do something about it. Through this platform, each year Chris and Colleen are able to connect those in attendance with their vision of hope.
A Transformative Year
The success of the annual Rescue Rally and vision of the Founders was made manifest this year with the organization of the C & C Rescue Foundation. In February, co-founder and President Gelsleichter announced, “formalizing our organization, through the creation of a foundation, will allow us to reach a broader audience and attract a new audience of donors and sponsors”.
Based on the growing interest, this June the Foundation launched a second fundraising event, the C&C Rescue Foundation Spring Fling in Sarasota. The event was successful in raising nearly $5,000 for our partner in Myakka City, The Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary.
The Foundation is a registered, Florida non-profit organization that operates as a 501 c 3 charitable foundation within the guidelines of the Internal Revenue Service. Both volunteers, partners and foundation leadership are unified in the mission and vision of our new fundraising arm.
Donors and Foundation supporters can be reassured that all proceeds will be used to support animals in need and ALL commitments to the Foundation are TAX DEDUCTBLE to the fullest extent of the law.
