ST. MARYS — Despite finishing their official service to the Elk County Humane Society in November, several of the society’s former board members continue to have a major impact on the shelter’s fundraising efforts.

Former board members Jeff Boucher, Cathy Steinbiser, Amy Auman, Ann Gerg and JoRae Richardson worked on a fundraising event that would become the shelter’s most successful one-day fundraiser in over five years.

On Saturday night, the society’s Purse Bash was the culmination of over a year’s worth of planning by these former board members who acquired all the prizes and organized the event, held at the Wine Cellar at Gunners.

At the end of the night, this event raised well over the anticipated $5000 for the Elk County Humane Society.

Boucher said that all of the proceeds will go to benefit the humane society, but about $1,500 will be specifically earmarked for the purchase of a year’s supply of disinfectant for the shelter.

Boucher and his fellow board members were instrumental in improving the shelter’s cleaning procedures during their time of holding their positions, by switching from the use of bleach to the use of ProVet Logic.

The year’s supply of ProVet Logic will go to help the shelter workers to clean and maintain 24 dog kennels and 44 cat pens.

Currently, the humane society houses 18 dogs and 34 cats. Fundraisers such as the Purse Bash are crucial for the humane society as a vast majority of the shelter’s funds come from fundraisers and donations from residents in and around Elk County.

The Elk County Humane Society is a no-kill shelter located in St. Marys that aims to provide effective means of preventing cruelty to animals throughout Elk County.