Never Alone Foundation

Lassie's Co-Star, Timmy, Coming To Pueblo

Saturday, September 13th Lassie's co-star Timmy (Jon Provost) will be in Pueblo helping Animal Wefare and Protection Society raise public attention, energy, and money to build their proposed larger and up-to-date dog and cat safe haven. While raising construction funds for this needed facility, Animal Welfare will offer Puebloans the chance to personally meet Timmy and special Lassie stand-ins.

September 13th is full of opportunities and activities from morning to night. Everyone is invited to,

1.) Share a special breakfast with television star Jon Provost of Lassie fame,

2.) Experience an eye-opening presentation during lunch with Jon and other special VIPs,

3.) Enjoy an afternoon book signing for Jon's new autobiography Timmy's in the Well - The Jon Provost Story,

4.) Attend a fun and heart-warming fund raising dinner with an additional celebrity - author Laurie Jacobson, and 

5.) Be deeply touched by a historic and sacred after-dinner ceremony

Jon Provost must have some canine in his DNA. He understands and feels the relationship between dogs and people implicitly. Watching Jon interact with dogs has been a dearly loved pastime for generations of viewers, ever since his career-making role as Timmy in the Lassie TV series.

Since his early acting days Jon has seen it all: the trials of child celebrity; the social strain; the sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll of the '60s on the Sunset Strip; and battles with near-crippling depression and dyslexia. For a while there, Timmy really was stuck down a well. But he got out - and these days Jon has a different story to tell.

His altruism stretches to children's hospitals, animal shelters, and, closest to his heart, Canine Companions for Independence, an organization that provides extraordinary service dogs to the handicapped. Jon has received numerous awards, among them The Motion Picture Council's award for Outstanding Contribution as a Humanitarian for his dedication to helping the physically challenged, the Allen Ludden Humanitarian Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Youth in Film Association.

Says Jon, "Wherever I am, when people realize I was Timmy, they travel right back to that warm, happy time where, for thirty minutes every week, they were transported by the adventures of a boy and his dog; and I am greeted with warm smiles, hugs, and even some tears along with many stories about what it all meant to them...I could never possibly have imagined what my work would mean to people over the years. I'm especially excited about coming to Pueblo to share in this wonderful and very achievable vision for Animal Welfare."

On a very sad note, recently Jon's family lost their best friend, Barney their loveable beagle. Jon said, "It was very sudden and unexpected, but very peaceful. We miss him terribly. We will be rescuing a new furry friend very soon."

Lassie's co-star Timmy is coming to Pueblo because of our community's need for a larger, modern no-kill shelter. Animal Welfare is celebrating 30-years of serving Pueblo's animals in need. Working closely with the tax supported city/county Animal Shelter, and other animal protection societies, especially Pueblo's Collie/Sheltie Rescue; Animal Welfare is a non-profit organization operating solely on donations and grants.

With donations from individuals and businesses, fundraising activities and grants as its only means of support, Animal Welfare has cared for and adopted into good homes several thousand animals. The mission of the PAWS for LIFE SHELTER is to: take in lost or unwanted animals; to return them to their owners whenever possible or, after having them spayed or neutered, place them in good homes; and to educate the public about intelligent and humane treatment of animals. Animal Welfare is located along Pueblo Boulevard near 11th Street and has several beautiful acres of land to create a larger, modern no-kill animal shelter.

Jon Provost is honored by a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Lassie became one of only three animal characters to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Jon Provost's Keds sneakers are in the Smithsonian Institution. Lassie and the show's stars have appeared on nine TV Guide covers.

When Lassie was in the living rooms of America's homes, Puebloan David Struthers was quarterbacking the 1966 Central Wildcats to a state football championship. David no longer wears his letterjacket but he does wear his love of dogs all over his smiling face. "As a child in the 1950's my family lived a couple of blocks from the Steel Mill where we enjoyed a real neighborhood of knowing your neighbors. Nearly every home had a dog and the kids and dogs all played together after school and on weekends," beams Struthers.

David continues, "Timmy and Lassie were role models for all of us as we watched the series every week for years. I own Collies now because of the fond feelings I had watching Lassie and Timmy. I agree with the saying that you can know a community by the way they treat their animals. I'm really looking forward to meeting Timmy and bringing my Collies to share in the love and the fun."

Animal Welfare's Clyde Young has volunteered long hours for two years helping create the best design for the new facility. He is presenting the drawings and details to service clubs, church groups and community organizations. Anyone interested in scheduling a presentation please contact Clyde at 543-1766 or glenn@kreativo.org.

If you would like to join the team of volunteers helping Animal Welfare with this special and historic day and if you want to purchase tickets to the dinner or other events please contact Glenn BAllantyne at 543-1766 or email glenn@kreativo.org.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, 09-17-08

TIME: 8:00 AM TO 2:00 PM

PLACE: FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE, 84 STANFORD, PUEBLO, CO 81005

There is an upcoming senior event in Pueblo which is the first annual "Safety of Seniors" Conference. This event is sponsored by several health care facilities and health care providers in the Pueblo area. Its purpose is to educate local seniors as to various aspects of safety.

The conference will hold breakout sessions for seniors to attend to learn more about: financial, legal, public and drug safety. Master of Ceremonies will be: Dave Ritterling, President of Visiting Angels Home Care. Keynote Speaker will be: Bill Thiebaut, District Attorney.

There will be 15 booths set up to provide seniors with additional information sponsored by "The Senior Medial Network Group," which is comprised of local nursing facilities, and health care vendors.

Other sponsors include, AARP, ElderWatch, SRDA, and Lifeline.

Admission is free to seniors and will include refreshments and lunch.

Seating is limited, so please call 545-1212 by 09-09-08 to register.

For additional information – contact: me, Pat Esgar, at: pat@westwindcampus.com, my office – 719-404-1018, or my cell – 719-289-2187.