Due To COVID-19, This Year’s Shelter Slam Becomes a Drive-Thru Event

Shelter Slam is a local organization that holds annual events featuring local bands to help raise money and supplies for no-kill animal shelters in the Binghamton area. This year Shelter Slam is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Organizer John Delola was planning on having a huge event this year to celebrate their 10th anniversary. But because of the Coronavirus, they wouldn't be able to hold their typical day-long event.

The easiest thing to do would have been to just cancel this year's event and focus on next year's fundraiser, but the shelters are in such dire need, that Delola knew he had to do something. So Shelter Sam has partnered with Olum's in Vestal to conduct a drive-through pet supply collection event to benefit five animal rescues in the Southern Tier.

The event will be held Saturday October 17th from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of Olum's. During that that 9 hour window, you can drop off pet food, kitty litter, and cleaning supplies. They will also take monetary donations to help take care of animals in Binghamton area shelters until they can find a forever home.

The animal rescues benefiting from this year's event include: Every Dog's Dream, Willows Wings Animal Sanctuary, Pibbles and More Animal Rescue, the Broome County Humane Society, and Jimmy J's Avian Rescue.

To keep the local band element as part of the event, mobile DJ Lisa Cruz will be playing music from Binghamton area bands and musicians all day long. There will be door prizes too.

If you can't make it on the 17th, you can drop off your supplies at Olum's in the campus Plaza in Vestal during store hours October 9th through the 16th.

More information can be found on the event's Facebook page.