The first ever Tails and Ales is coming to Third Turn Oldham Gardens on April 26, a collaboration between a local foundation and an animal rescue. It’s a chance to attend a dog-friendly, family-fun event in honor of the late Jake Luxemburger.
But even more special, his mom Kate Luxemburger says, is the chance to help support Adopt Me Bluegrass Pet Rescue, something that was near and dear to Jake’s heart.
“He always wanted to be a veterinarian when he grew up …” Luxemburger says. Jake was killed in a car crash two years ago, the result of someone driving a stolen car and attempting to outrun authorities. He was just 10 years old.
“One of the many things about Jake — he loved animals. He was huge into rescues, and we had two dogs we adopted …” she says. The Jake Luxemburger Foundation works to support the community by “acts of kindness,” which can be in the form of supporting local kids’ sports teams, for example, buying athletic gear or donating to renovate fields. The foundation is often partnering with other organizations on things like toy drives and other benefits.
Luxemburger says they wanted the foundation to help a local animal rescue.
“Third Turn let us use their grounds, and Adopt Me Bluegrass Pet Rescue is located right here in Crestwood. We hope we can continue to do this yearly, to help rescues pay for vet bills, supplies — things like that.”
And the nonprofit Adopt Me is exclusively run by volunteers, so any help is much appreciated, says Lynda Wulf, a rescue volunteer for five years now. She says there will be information on hand about how to donate, as well as how to adopt, foster or volunteer.
“We’re so pleased to be coupled with the Luxemburger Foundation — kids and dogs are an incredible reason to step up and I’m glad we can help one another,” Wulf says. The main goal of the rescue during the event is to get the word out about what they do.
“Obviously we want to get the dogs adopted out, but we’re also constantly in need of good fosters, too,” she says. “We can’t take in puppies if people aren’t there to take care of them, so it depends on our volunteers — and most of them have families and jobs, so we can’t wear them out.”
Wulf also says Third Turn has been a massive support to them. “We do several events there every summer, and they’re just always available to us — extremely supportive and they’re always happy to see us come in with dogs.”
April 26’s event will happen from 5-9 p.m. and is free to the public. “But we’ll have a raffle set up for some awesome prizes …” Luxemburger says.
Several themed gift baskets will be up for grabs, like one for dogs with some great treats. There will also be a Mother’s Day themed basket, which Kate says will have some great services like massages and facials, another geared towards men, multiple gift cards …
“You buy raffle tickets then choose which gifts you want to put your tickets in for.” Raffle tickets will be $10 each or five for $40, and as of now can only be purchased during the event, although that could change if the foundation can come up with a good online version for purchase. And with all the prizes donated, all proceeds will go to the rescue.
Luxemburger says aside from live music, there will be about 20 vendors set up with “everything from candles to dog-themed jewelry …” from various artisans and craftspeople.
Wulf says there will be some puppies at the event along with some adult dogs who need homes. There’s also other ways to help the rescue, like volunteering to play with puppies or walk dogs, cleaning crates and various other animal needs.
“As far as the foundation and Kate — you couldn’t ask for anyone more committed, not only to honor Jake’s memory, but to make sure they’re doing what is in line with what he’d wanted …” says Wulf. “And it supports the community — a win-win.”
Luxemburger says there’s still time for anyone who wants to donate items for raffle prizes for the event, or to participate in corporate sponsorships. “We’ll take those through about April 12th, anyone who wants to give can contact us at the foundation.”
Kate says Jake loved going to animal shelters, doing anything he could to help dogs in need of homes. “We donated food, toys, blankets all the time just to try and help them out a little bit,” she says, and it hit home with Jake that animals are vulnerable, and can’t help themselves.
“He would have loved this.”
To keep up with the foundation, follow Jake Luxemburger Foundation on Facebook or Instagram. For more about Adopt Me Bluegrass Pet Rescue, visit adoptmebluegrasspetrescue.com or its Facebook page.
