Humpy 500 winners donate prize to non-profit

A winner of last fall's Humpy 500 donated a portion of her winnings last Friday to the Petersburg Humane Association (PHA).

Team Captain Annie Christensen, 11, and the rest of the crew of the Torpedo Shark placed first in the design category and third in the costume category. The crew was awarded various prizes, one of which was a $100 gift certificate to Hammer & Wikan stores.

Christensen elected to give the gift certificate to the humane association.

"My mom said we had to give some of the money to a place that needed it," Christensen said. "I came up with the idea to give it here (humane society) and everybody agreed on it."

Merilee Jones, association president, said the money would buy food and litter-the biggest expense for the seven cats that are currently up for adoption.

"We really appreciate that," Jones said. "It is wonderful."

To take care of its animals, the PHA relies on donations, memberships and fundraisers.

The Humpy 500 is an annual go-cart race where youngsters design carts and costumes and race their creations down PFI Hill.

Anna Swihart, Ruby Massin, Alayna Duddles were the other crew members of the Torpedo Shark.