Island Park's Michaels Billiard helps raise money for Christina's Safe Haven

Animal lovers and bingo enthusiasts alike will have an opportunity to come together at Michael’s Billiards in Island Park on Sept. 28 for a special fundraiser to support Christina’s Animal Safe Haven.

The fundraiser is a drag bingo event, which promises to be an evening of fun, while raising crucial funds for the rescue and care of senior, special needs and unwanted dogs. Tickets are $25 per person, which also buys one bingo card. Additional cards can be purchased for $5 and food and drink will also be available for purchase.

Drag bingo combines the traditional game of bingo with performances by drag queens, which add to the entertainment compared to a regular bingo game. The rescue has held two fundraisers and hosted a special birthday party for one of their senior dogs and after hearing about the success other Rescues have had with the drag bingo fundraisers format decided to organize their own.

Christina’s Animal Safe Haven, based in Baldwin and founded by Baldwin resident Christina Diaz, is a grass-roots organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and temporary relocating vulnerable dogs. With her mission focused on animals often overlooked due to age or medical needs, Diaz has displayed a passion for her work.

“Every animal deserves love and a second chance,” Diaz said. “Senior and special needs dogs are often the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanized. I couldn’t stand by and let that continue.”

The fundraiser, set to begin at 7 p.m., will feature lively drag performances, bingo games and raffle prizes donated by local businesses, all in support of this critical cause.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Diaz said. “We want people to enjoy themselves while making a difference for these animals.”

Diaz’s involvement in animal rescue started long before she launched her own organization. As a former volunteer for Bobbi and the Strays, a well-known animal rescue organization in Freeport, led by Roberta “Bobbi” Giordano, Diaz honed her skills and commitment to animal welfare. Diaz started volunteering and working at Bobby and the Strays in 2017. Her experience with senior and special needs dogs inspired her to start this rescue with two other partners.

“Christina started out as a volunteer with us several years ago,” Giordano said. “She’s always been enthusiastic, hardworking and passionate about saving animals.”

Christina’s Animal Safe Haven relies on fosters, where animals are placed in homes instead of shelters. Diaz evaluates the dogs first to match them with suitable fosters, ensuring compatibility with other pets and children. To date Diaz has rescued ten animals.

Like many Rescue’s the Safe Haven struggles with the high cost of medical care for the animals, particularly seniors who often have complex medical issues, such as glaucoma, heart murmurs, and kidney or liver diseases. Finding fosters is also difficult, but Diaz has had some success, especially with people she already knows.

Giordano, who has been rescuing animals for decades, has long been a mentor to Diaz, and Giordano’s own story is inspirational. She founded Bobbi and the Strays nearly 15 years ago in Freeport and Glendale after running animal rescues on her own for many years. With the support of community leaders, Giordano formalized her efforts into a full-fledged organization that has since saved countless animals.

“Rescue work becomes your life,” Giordano said. “It’s not easy, but when you see an animal that was once discarded thriving in a new home, it makes everything worth it.”

While Giordano has continued her tireless work, often putting in long hours and overseeing more than 40 volunteers between her two locations, she has supported Diaz in her efforts to start her own rescue organization.

“I’m always here for her when she needs advice or help,” Giordano said. “She’s got a lot of energy and a good heart, and that’s what it takes to do this kind of work.”

The event at Michael’s Billiards marks a significant milestone for Christina’s Animal Safe Haven, both in terms of community outreach and financial support. All proceeds from the event will go directly toward medical care, food and supplies for the dogs under Diaz’s care.

“These animals rely on us, and we rely on the generosity of the community to keep doing what we do,” Diaz said.

Michael’s Billiards, at 4060 Austin Blvd., a local establishment with a history of hosting fundraising events, has supported the efforts of both Giordano in the past.

“It’s a great venue for events like this,” Diaz said of Michael’s. “We’ve held successful fundraisers here before, and I’m hopeful this one will be our best yet.”

Tickets for the drag bingo fundraiser can be purchased at the door. The event is family-friendly, and animal lovers of all ages are encouraged to attend.

For those who can’t make it to the event but still want to support Christina’s Animal Safe Haven, donations can be made directly through the organization’s website.

“Every little bit helps,” Diaz said. “Even if you can’t attend, you can still make a difference in the lives of these animals. It’s not easy work, but it’s worth it. These dogs have been through so much, and they deserve all the love and care we can give them.”

For more information about Christina’s Animal Safe Haven, the drag bingo fundraiser, or how to donate, visit Christina’s Animal Safe Haven at www.christinasanimalsafehaven.com.