Hide Article Text (OCR)
7/!2 V/•FITTUHKSHELTERSITC — Mrs, Joseph (Maria) Neafsy of 106 Columbus Way, Weirton. surveys the tract of land she donated to the newly formed Hancock County Humane Society along W. Va, Rt. 2 between Weirton and New Cumberland. A partial foundation is already on the property, and the societyhopes to build a shelter there to house unwanted dogs and also to provide dog boarding services. Mrs.Neafsy is a member of the society’s board of directors, and her Interest in animals dates back manyveal's.iAnimal Shelter SiteDonated By Mrs, NeafsyMrs. Joseph Neafsy of 106 Columbus Way has donated a $2,600 tract of land to the newly organized Hancock County Humane Society as a continuing expression of her longtime sympathy to unfed animals.A charter member 20 years ago of the now defunct Hancock County Animal Rescue Society, the 68-yoar-oId widow explained her devotion to the abandoned animals, ”1 can’t stand anything hungry.“I know what hunger is/’ she stated, telling of her childhood in Czechoslovakia during World War IHer late mother, who came to Weirton in 1910 from New Kensington, Pa., later moved to Europe, where Mrs. Neafsy, her youngest child, was born in 1907.When Maria’s father died, her mother took the older three children hack to Weirton and left one-year-old Maria in the care of the child’s grandmother“We were hungry then,” said Mrs, Nealsv. “They took all the lood away for the*soldiers. We tied our dogs to the porch, but they came and shot them to make food for the soldiers.”Mrs. Neafsy said, “I think I was on the first boat that left .Czechoslovakia for the U. S.after emigration was opened in 1921.«»established at the site she donated.On Old Rt. 2Twice married. Mrs. Neafsy helped her husbands in construction work. She herself designed the four-apartment dwelling in which she now resides. She sanded doors and floors, carried materials and did much manual labor. Her husband died in 1971, and she still maintains the property, mowing the law and tarring theroof herself.The tract, purchased from Paul I), and Anna A. Nesbitt, is about halfway between 'Weirton and New Cumberland along W. Va. Rt. 2 The land is actually on old W. Va. Rt. 2, which thesociety will be able to use as an access route to the headquarters.»«Children and animals, I can’t get rid of them.” she said with a smile. “If I shoo them away,thev stay right with me.”The organization hopes eventually to provide dogboarding accommodations forcountv residents.Has H Hogs Although she was not always active in the Animal Rescue Sovietv. Mrs. Neafsy has never turned an animal from her door. She now has eight dogs living in her basement. She buys 80 to 90 pounds of dog food monthly to feed them and two “freeloader dogs” who occasionally mooch meals at the Ncafsv door.Deed PresentedMrs. Neafsy. a member of the group’s board of directors, presented the deed this week to Mrs. John Kolosky of Weirton,president.Mrs. Kolosky noted that the main problem in establishing the headquarters is financial, since the shelter will cost about $30,000, and the society has on hand only $200 currently.Mrs. Neafsy, who has no living close relatives, said she will work hard to see a building erected and a programruThe society is exploring several means of obtaining the necessary funds. Attorney Martin S* Bogard of Weirton donated his services in the deedtransaction, thus saving the society legal fees on the project.
Newspaper Details
Weirton Daily Times
Weirton, West Virginia, US
Fri, Sep 26, 1975
Page 9
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 10 Apr 2022
Other Publications Near Weirton, West Virginia
Weirton Daily Times
