GREENVILLE — Unbeknownst to her, the gifts brought to Barbara Weimer’s recent 80th birthday party were not for her; instead, they were to be donated to the Darke County Animal Shelter.
Yet, that was fine with Weimer. She is an animal-lover. Even after she donated those gifts to the animal shelter on Tuesday morning, she wanted to go visit with the animals currently in the shelter and she did.
Donating to the Darke County Animal Shelter was a brainstorm of two of Weimer’s daughters, Sheryl Branson’s and Beverly Shumaker. And, it was a good idea as what was collected at the birthday party will feed the animals there for quite a little while.
“My girls planned it all,” said Weimer, who helps husband Norman in their business, Weimer Electronics, in New Madison, which they’ve owned for 47 years.
Weimer turned 80 on Aug. 9 and her four daughters — Branson, Shumaker, Bonnie Behee and Tina Clevenger — hosted her birthday party the following Saturday at Wayne Lakes Clubhouse.
“There were almost 60 people there,” she said.
The Weimers also have seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren with one on the way; and two stepgreat-grandchildren.
They also have a 14-year-old dog Sisco.
Weimer, the former Barbara Eliker, is a 1954 graduate of New Madison High School. She and her husband have squared danced for years and still do, and they are members of Castine Church of the Brethren.
The gifts received through the Weimer family included cat food, dog food, treats, toys, a mat and towels.
“This [type of donation] has been done before,” said Rachael Thomas, animal control officer at the animal shelter. “We have had a couple of others [donations] this year. It really helps us out a lot. Everything here is donated. We run solely on donations.”
Thomas said there are currently 20 dogs and 15 cats housed at the shelter.
“People who want to donate to the shelter, may call us at 547-1645 or just drop it off here, 5066 County Home Road, Greenville, preferably, when we’re here,” she said.
