May 08

Local healthcare workers shown support through community effort

By: KMTV Staff – Posted at 6:53 PM, May 07, 2020

 

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — This week, area hospital workers were surprised with free lunches thanks to a joint effort by the Salvation Army.  It’s meant to salute those on the frontlines of this ongoing pandemic.

How the Salvation Army honored healthcare workers.

The Salvation Army says it’s part of a three-state campaign between South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska…and it’s called heart for our heroes.  The lunches were packed up by local restaurants and were delivered today.

”We have had such an outpouring of love and support,” said healthcare worker Janice Fonda. “I’m so grateful and all of our staff is to everyone, the Salvation Army, Blue Cross Blue Shield and all of the individuals and corporations and small businesses that have reached out to us. It’s just amazing. I have the best job in the world because I see all the good that’s happening”

Thursday wasn’t the only event. More lunches will be delivered Friday.

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Apr 30

Myrtle Beach bar owner offers explanation after police find customers inside business

By Kristin Nelson | April 29, 2020 at 3:18 PM EDT – Updated April 29 at 11:22 PM

 

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) – Police busted a Myrtle Beach bar after they said they found multiple customers drinking inside, even though the governor’s order prohibits it. Officers were called just before 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to Foster’s Cafe and Bar on North Kings Highway after a person in the community complained about the bar serving to the public. When police arrived, they said they noticed multiple cars in the parking lot.

Myrtle Beach bar owner offers explanation after police find customers inside business

The officers “walked inside and multiple bar patrons were inside of the bar consuming open containers of alcohol,” according to the police report. Police also noted that the customers were sitting close to one another at the bar and also at tables. They added that the bartender was serving the customers. Officers met the owner of the bar, Donald Fonda Jr., and informed him of the executive order put in place by the governor, which prohibits dine-in service at bars and restaurants. They are only allowed to do delivery and take-out in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Fonda told WMBF News he disputes the police report and said the customers inside his bar were following social distancing guidelines becuase they were seated with their loved ones. “Those people are married… that couple lives together. They weren’t dining in, but they were having a drink while they waited for their food so they could take it home. Obviously, I guess, I was in the wrong,” Fonda said.

According to the Myrtle Beach Police Department’s website, Fonda was charged with ordinance/enforcement and remedies of regarding executive order. “He wrote me a ticket and I have to appear in June for a hearing,” Fonda said. “No, I was not arrested. I’m just trying to stay open and survive.” Fonda posted on Facebook that the bar will continue to do take-out orders for customers.

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Apr 03

Sylvan Lake plumbers ask for social distancing while working in homes

Fonda’s Plumbing and Heating says they went out to six service calls in one day during the outbreak

Megan Roth Apr. 2, 2020 12:30 p.m. Local News

Social distancing is an issue in places you might not expect.

Though the calendar says it is spring, one look out the window shows it is still very much winter. When it is cold and snowy outside things like running water and heating are extremely important. During an epidemic like the current COVID-19 outbreak, makes plumbing services an essential service for all Albertans. This means that trained men and women will have to come into your home during an epidemic to assess an emergency situation and fix whatever problem may have arisen.

Kelly Fonda, owner of Fonda’s Plumbing and Heating, says in a single day he has received six service calls for homes without heat. “That is six homes we had to go into and assess the situation to keep families warm and comfortable,” Fonda said. Plumbers and other tradesmen who are still on the clock to keep Albertans comfortable in their own homes, are given as much protection against the coronavirus as possible while working.

Sylvan Lake, Alberta

In the case of employees at Fonda’s Plumbing and Heating, precautions are taken right from the beginning of each morning. Each employee has their temperature taken and asked if they have any symptoms or come into contact with anyone who has symptoms. “We have been lucky so far, none of my guys have shown any symptoms. If they did they would be sent home to self-isolate,” Fonda says. Along with a morning procedure, every employee has an arsenal of cleaning supplies, gloves and some masks to ensure their safety, and the homeowner’s, while working.

Fonda says his employees are told to keep their distance from homeowners as much a possible, to keep the prescribed two metre buffer between them. During this time Fonda says it is also important for homeowners to keep their distance from those coming in to work on their home. “I know it is tough, you have a stranger coming into your home and you want to watch and be nearby as they work, but right now if it important to keep that buffer,” Fonda said. “You need to trust the tradespeople who are coming into your home.”

Most of those working in trades, such as plumbing, are only taking on emergency work during the epidemic.
According to Fonda, all construction work scheduled has been put on the back burner for the time being. Instead he and his team are focusing on emergencies such as leak, no heat calls or frozen pipes. “People need to think about what they are calling us for. Sure now may seem like a good time to redo that basement bathroom, but it isn’t,” said Fonda.

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Jan 06

After 14 years of saving lives, Fonda’s Foundlings getting out of the cat rescue business

January 6, 2013 by Centre Daily Times

Shirley Fonda sits cross-legged on the floor in her Park Forest home and cradles Bob in her arms. Bob is about 8. He was born on a Bellefonte sidewalk. A boy brought him to Fonda soon after, still glistening. “So I’ve raised this one since birth, literally,” Fonda says. “He’s not doing well, unfortunately.” She tries to feed Bob, but he’s not receptive. After a while, she stops.

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Shirley Fonda feeds one of her cats by hand at her State College home on Friday, January 4, 2013. Photo by Christopher Weddle, CDT.

These days, she would like to quit entirely. As much as she loves cats, she wants out of the rescue business. Fonda has taken in and found homes for stray or deserted cats for 14 years through her nonprofit operation, Fonda’s Foundlings. She has adopted cats from displaced trailer park residents whose new residences wouldn’t allow them. Her success stories number almost 1,500. Cats still fill her house. They sleep on chairs, sofas and window sills, and dart to and fro. Rooms have become colonies with cages and cat trees. Seven cats belong to her, but the rest are waiting for new owners.

Fonda’s weary of waiting. “It would just be nice to have a house again,” she says. She’s 77 and tired. Tired of spending hours daily feeding her residents. Tired of kittens from pets not neutered or spayed. Tired of cats abandoned to their fates. At this stage in her life, she would like to travel again. She and her husband Tom have been all over the world, exotic places like Borneo, and they have shelves of art and other curios to prove it.

She has a doctorate in geology, a master’s degree in zoology and research on marine biology waiting for her to resume. A cellist and classical pianist, she wants to perform with a local symphony and accompany Penn State music students like she once did. “There’s just no time for me to do any of that,” she says. She was trying to retire. For the past two years, she had stopped accepting adult cats, just kittens that she can easily sell to help offset her expenses. Cats kept going to homes, and her menagerie shrank to 40.

But like Michael Corleone, just when she thought she was out, she got pulled back in. Last August, she learned of a State College property overrun by strays. A woman had been feeding the area’s cats, then moved, leaving at least 62 behind. Eleven, including two with litters, were found inside the empty home. Neighborhood residents called Fonda. As a child, she brought home injured animals. As a local wildlife rehabilitation specialist for 25 years, she routinely nursed creatures to health. She couldn’t turn her back on suffering. “They had been there for two weeks and they were starving,” she says. Her shelter population swelled, but because most of the new arrivals were young and friendly, Fonda felt confident she could find homes for them.

Centre County PAWS, the Hundred Cat Foundation and Metzger Animal Hospital assisted her with a clinic to spay, neuter and attend to medical needs. Many young ones still didn’t survive. Since then, about two dozen have been adopted. She’s down to 20 mouths from the summer batch. Retirement draws nearer, but to get there, she needs help. Vet bills, food and litter for last year’s influx have cost the Fondas about $4,000. Weekly non-medical expenses exceed $100. Donations cover only so much, and they always could use more.

Most of all, Shirley Fonda needs caring cat-lovers — like the priest who once showed up and asked for her least-desirable orphan — to take her playful, gentle wards off her hands. Only then will she see more lands, play more concertos or possibly publish her research — if she can resist her own tenderhearted impulses. Call her at 238-4758 or search on petfinder.com if you’re interested in one of the files in Fonda’s thick black notebook. She’s waiting.

Adopt a Cat in State College, PA

We have been rescuing homeless cats and kittens in the central Pennsylvania region for 10 years and were involved in three major rescues in 2005. In January thirteen feral cats were trapped at the Toftrees Resort when management wanted the colony removed. In February 121 cats were rescued over a 6 week period from a home in Spring Mills and in May 59 cats were rescued from a home in only one week.

Nimbus is a gorgeous long hair tortie. She was found with her sister “Cirrus” and Mom “Skye” in a trailer park that was demolished. Nimbus loves loves to be petted. Her sister would be happy if you would adopt them together.

To date Fonda’s Foundlings have rescued 810 cats and kittens, most have been placed in loving homes. The kittens and cats that are available are quite friendly and ready to go to their forever home. All adults have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, combo tested, and wormed. Fonda’s Foundlings will be at PETCO in State College, PA every SATURDAY afternoon and evening! Please stop by and show your support! If you can’t adopt, please donate!

No, they’re not little Nittany Lions… they’re Fonda’s foundlings!

Woman Opens Home to Stray Cats

December 11, 2009 by Nathan Pipenberg for the Collegian

Seventy-three-year old State College resident Shirley Fonda said her house is too full of cats for Penn State students to continue treating their pets poorly.   Fonda spends her waking hours feeding and caring for the 75 abandoned and stray cats she houses in her Park Forest home — cats she said she’s taken in as a result of some students abandoning their pets during winter and summer breaks.   “A good number of them are from students just dumping them off,” Fonda said. “I’d say I’ve reached my limits. I can’t afford it anymore. I paid over $9,000 in medical expenses [for the cats] last year.”

Shirley Fonda, 73, of State College, houses 75 stray cats in her apartment. Fonda said many of them are abandoned by students.

Cheryl Sharer, a full-time employee at the Pennsylvania SPCA Centre Hall Adoption Center, said the shelter has a constant problem with abandoned animals — especially after Penn State students head home for the holidays and leave their pets behind.  “Part of the problem is from students,” Sharer said. “We always get very busy around Christmas time and the first month of summer.” Sharer said she blames the problem on all Centre County residents, but the shelter is busiest around the time when Penn State students are leaving the area.

Donna Herrmann, of the The Hundred Cat Foundation, Inc., said her facility spayed or neutered about 600 cats this year alone. They experience an increased number of calls every spring, when unspayed female cats are abandoned during winter break begin to give birth.   “There is a huge feral cat population in State College, and some is definitely from students,” Herrmann said.

Fonda said she receives cats from people who can no longer take care of them and abandoned cats living in colonies. The cat colonies can contain upwards of 50 cats and center around student apartments and houses. “I’ve done rescues in Vairo Village, by the Toftrees Resort and Briarwood Apartments,” Fonda said. Briarwood Apartments is one of the few apartment complexes for students that allows pets, she said. Six rooms of Fonda’s house function as homes for her cats, which she is constantly trying to find owners for.

Penn State student Katie Fields lives in a Nittany Garden apartment on Waupelani Drive that allows pets and kept a cat earlier this year. But she said she quickly learned of how tough taking care of a pet can be. “I only had the cat for four or five days before I gave it back to the original owner,” Fields (senior-art education) said. “Financially, I couldn’t do it.” To students who do take on the responsibility of a cat, Fonda strongly recommends getting it spayed or neutered, and vaccinated.   “Students don’t realize it, but shelters can help you with medical expenses,” she said. “If you get a pet, be responsible.”

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