Big Cats for Kids a FURnomenal Success!

The Otis Smith Kids Foundation is proud to announce the Big Cats for Kids project was a FURnomenal success, raising more than $220,000 for the organization!

We’d like to extend our sincere appreciation to all of the SPOTsors and PAWtners who helped to make the Big Cats for Kids such a tremendous success! Proceeds raised from this project go directly to the Foundation’s education programs and life skills initiatives for Jacksonville’s disadvantaged children.

More than 400 people attended Jammies & Jeans: The Cats Pajamas Party where 41 of the 53 big cats were auctioned off to their FURever homes (the remaining 12 cats were adopted by their SPOTsors prior to the auction). Cats sold at the auction for as much as $12,000 (Vincent Van Jaguar) with the average price of $2,900. For a complete list of the Cats and their PURRchase price, click here.

Big Cats for Kids ultimately benefitted the entire First Coast community, both as a fundraiser for the Otis Smith Kids Foundation and as a community-wide public art exhibit. We hope you all enjoyed having the Big Cats around town!

First Sea Cows, Then Big Cats . . . What’s Next?
Do you miss the Big Cats already? Is there a creature you’d love to see crawling around the streets and parks of Jacksonville? We’re taking your suggestions now for the next sculpture, to be announced in September 2007! Click here to share your suggestion with us!

Sponsorship Opportunities
Otis Smith Kids Foundation’s public art projects have become a source of civic pride, providing a unique event for area residents, while also serving as a promotional vehicle for the City of Jacksonville. Local business leaders and individuals have highlighted their dedication to the arts and education, but also demonstrate their commitment to Jacksonville and its children through these projects. The projects have also recognized the talents of area artists while generating needed funding for children’s education and life skills initiatives of the Otis Smith Kids Foundation.

If you’d like to help the children of the Otis Smith Kids foundation through our public art projects, please contact Bonnie Upright at 904/880.6847 or via email at bonnie@otissmithfoundation.com