SCRAPS benefit set for Saturday

Stray animals will benefit from a “Scraps for SCRAPS” event Saturday in Liberty Lake.

A Liberty Lake company, Mario & Son, will use scraps from its stone fabrication business to raise money for SCRAPS, the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service shelter.

“The owners of the company are very avid animal lovers,” said Sierra Sacco, an interior and graphic designer employed by Mario Marcella and his son, Joey Marcella.

On Saturday, the company will sell decorative signs, cutting boards and the like – made from pieces of granite and quartz left over from countertops and similar household fixtures. All the proceeds will go to SCRAPS.

The items, mostly selling for $10 to $20, are carved with images of cats and dogs, people’s names or messages such as “Welcome,” “Love,” and “No. 1 Dad.” Sacco said some items will be made in advance, but custom orders can be carved Saturday.

Sacco said the family-oriented event, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature tours, food, games, a Liberty Lake Police Department bicycle rodeo and chances to win an Apple iPad, iPod Touch or iPod Shuffle.

Donations of dog food or cash can be exchanged for game tickets that will be entered into a drawing for the high-tech prizes.

Sacco said last year’s first Scraps for SCRAPS event raised about $4,000 and 80 pounds of dog food for the animal shelter.

The company has a wish list of supplies it is soliciting for the shelter. Items may be dropped off during Saturday’s event or any day this week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mario & Son is at 2750 N. Eagle Lane, off Appleway Road, just east of the Liberty Lake exit on Interstate 90.

For more information, contact Sacco at ssacco@marioand son.com.