RI Celebrities Pose With Shelter Animals For Fundraiser

RI Celebrities Pose With Shelter Animals For Fundraiser

Some of Rhode Island’s biggest names are stepping in front of the lens for a great cause, and with some great photo partners.

Governor Lincoln Chafee, American Idol Season 11 finalist Erika Van Pelt and former Attorney General Arlene Violet are among 30 Rhode Island “celebrities” who have posed for portraits alongside homeless cats and dogs from the East Greenwich Animal Protection League.

The photos, which have been taken at iconic locations around the state, will be revealed and silently auctioned off at Animal Prints, an annual event held at Crestar Picture Framing, 51 Liberty Street, East Greenwich on Friday, April 12 at 7 pm.

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All of the proceeds from the event will benefit the East Greenwich Animal Protection League, a private, non-profit, no-kill animal shelter.

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Other models include: WPRO Personality and Host, Tara Granahan; Paws, the PawSox Mascot; 92 ProFM’s Barbi Jo Dimaria; Michaela Johnson, “The Rhode Show” co-host; Ted Nesi, host of “Executive Suite” on WPRI; Loren Petisce, Cat Country 98.1 DJ; Joe Wilson, Jr., Trinity Repertory Company member; Tom Gleadow, Gamm Theatre and Trinity Rep actor; Tony Estrella, artistic director of the Gamm Theatre and Frank O’Donnell, comedian and host at Twin River’s Catch a Rising Star.

There will also be two special photographs featuring children from Children’s Wishes, an organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Proceeds from those two photos will be split by the League and Children’s Wishes.

Two local photographers, Brad Smith and Stacey Doyle, have donated their time and talents to the event.

Admission to the event is $20 and includes light hors d’oeuvres and a complimentary champagne toast. There will also be a cash bar and raffle items, including a special raffle for a $500 Cardi’s gift certificate. Tickets to the event can be purchased in advance at www.animalprints2013.weebly.com

For more information on the East Greenwich Animal Protection League, visit www.egapl.org. For more information on Children's Wishes, visit cwishesri.com.