GFWC Semper Fidelis Woman’s Club has donated $305 each to Canine Companions for Independence and the Somerset Humane Society in Skowhegan.

Also donated to the local shelter were 32 bags of dog and cat food, 118 cans of cat food, 12 bags of dog treats, dog harnesses, collars and toys, four dog beds, cleaning supplies, blankets and towels, according to a news release from Maureen Provencal, GFWC Semper Fidelis president.

Club members purchased, painted and assembled 60 round ornaments, red and green acrylic paints, and mini poinsettia garnishes for a Dec. 4 “Paws for a Cause” event to make keepsake paw print Christmas ornaments.

Bigelow Brewing Co. in Skowhegan donated space the morning of the annual Skowhegan Holiday Stroll for this event. The price to participate was $10 per ornament plus a donation of either a bag of dog food or canned cat food. The event sold out of all ornaments.

Stations were set up around the brewery to allow for social distancing, consisting of check-in and donation drop-off areas, and painting of paw prints. There were also photo opportunities provided for the pets, with an elf cutout through which dogs could put their face, as well as a seat in an oversized Adirondack chair.

While several members and their families helped the day of the event, others also lent a hand by making and wrapping 120 homemade dog treats for the participants to take home.