Just a month after Angel’s heartbreaking passing, the 2016 Stand Up for the Drill tour kicks off in New York City on Sunday, May 1.
Lived up to the show, Sean Casey Animal Rescue has been the fortunate organization to work with for the Stand Up For Pits event for the second year in a row. A fundraiser was held at their sanctuary (153 E. 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY) on April 30, where they received an amazing $2,500 worth of supplies – that’s double the amount donated last year!
The massive amount of donations at Sean Casey Animal Rescue, along with former SCAR alumni Waynie (top right) and Xander (bottom left in chair)
They also hosted an adoption drive at Gotham Comedy Club in Chelsea ahead of the May 1 premiere, bringing in five of their adopted Bull Terrier Bull Terrier puppies for adoption. They held a silent auction that raised their foundation to another $3,800, which is about $6,300 to their rescue! Donors to the silent auction included: Dean Russo Art, Sophie Jamand Photography, Brooklyn Boated, Allison Porter, Find My Animal, Laura Warne, Volunteer Sean Casey, Madeline Silva, Grounds & Hounds Coffee Company, Rescue My Wine Candles, Baopac, Dean and Tyler, Kiehl’s, NY Pole, Petropolis, Red Flower, Natural Dog Company, Pajamas For Pitbulls, Pergola Restaurant, Conscious Fork, J. Topolski, Hurtta, Jimmy The Bull, and Familia Green.
Silent auction items and merchandise during the adoption campaign
The Sean Casey hippo filled the space with all the kisses and belly rubs they could muster. They did a great job!
Sean Casey workers with Fufu the dog (left), Piper getting a belly rub (right)The best news was that a couple who attended the event met Piper and couldn’t get him out of their minds, so they went back and adopted him the next day. The rest of the cute and sweet pups are still waiting though, so please check out their stories and consider adopting one if you are looking for a furry companion!
BarkPost And I spoke with Shawn Casey’s Managing Director, Ms. Teresa LaBianca, who told us it was an honor to work with Stand Up for Drill. Their shelter is made up of 30-50% of the “type” dogs at any given time, which is heartbreaking for people like Teresa and the many others who know wonderful animals. Teresa told us:
“Rebecca is so amazing what she’s doing and taking this from a smaller scale to a nation-wide awareness. She really fights for the rights of these Pit Bull “types” and gives a voice to the voiceless.”
Of course, Rebecca had some great things to say about Sean Casey Animal Rescue, too. She told us:
“The adoption, silent auction, and SUFP donation engine blew me away! Proud of everyone working together. So many things can be accomplished when people get off the couch, from behind the computer, and work together. I got a Piper Award because of NYC Stand Up For Pits and that’s always my thing.” Magical. Plus $3,800 raised in the silent auction for Sean Casey Animal Rescue. Every year it grows more and more. It’s inspiring to see.”
Handsome Super Piper (adopted after the drive)
After the adoption campaign, guests who came from all over the world (including Canada and Ireland!) were instructed to pay homage to the owners and see Rebecca Corey perform at the club, where there were photos of her hanging and flowers on stage. Tears could be seen as soon as people walked in, but luckily there were some amazing comics on hand to get the laughs flowing.
Charles McBee rides through the event and makes a great start, followed by Willie Collins and Michel Botto. Their hilarious performances enlivened the guff and the audience’s engagement, making the crowd ready for the much-anticipated Jinan Garofalo, and of course, the woman responsible for it all — Rebecca Currie.
Opening comedians from left to right: Charles McBee, Wally Collins, and Michelle Buteau
BarkPost He had the chance to talk to some comedians about their experiences with dogs and get involved with stand-up pits. Charles McBee grew up with family dogs, and experienced a love for pit bull “types” as a child while playing with friends’ dogs. He understands what wonderful traveling dogs they really are, and is quick to defend them, saying they “have no say in how society views them, and they need a lot of protection.”
Michelle Buteau met Rebecca 15 years ago while she was standing up for Comedy Central’s “Facebook.” Miss Corrie did an amazing karate kick, and Michelle was so impressed that she didn’t split her pants, she thought, “I should be friends with her.” A big dog lover, she has two people: a Chihuahua/Pug mix (nicknamed “Chug” by Miss Buteau) that Roxy goes through, and a Labrador/Mastiff mix named Lola who thinks of her as a small dog but looks like a “bull in a china shop.” She has included some stories about her pups during the set which were obviously well received and understood by the many dog lovers in the audience.
Janeane Garofalo performs
Janine Garofalo has been making the jump in the hole three years in a row and is a huge proponent of Pit Bull dogs. She and her boyfriend now have one, and she had two more in the past. She told us that when she first met Angel years ago, she thought:
“This is the most well behaved dog I have ever known. I have to be the worst dog mom. I didn’t adopt those pit bulls that you see all so calm and dignified… I get that wild one that attracts me in every way.”
Despite having had some super bullies herself, Miss Garofalo only has the best things to say about the types of pit bulls and the Stand Up For Pits Foundation. I told BarkPost: “It’s a great organization that’s raising awareness and working to get the bad rap these dogs have gotten.” We couldn’t agree on more, Janeane!
And of course the star of the show, Rebecca Corey, was awesome. Janeane’s killer streak has followed with an incredible amount of courage and strength as she goes through the loss of Angel. As soon as she got on stage the whole audience gave her an ovation with a drawn out effort that was very emotional and a true testament to the kind of people and love that filled the room that evening.
Rebecca perfoming on stage
She wrote a very touching Facebook post from her plane trip to New York City, saying:
This year we’ll be in 8 cities and this is the first time a Stand Up for the Dig event has happened without Angel, but I’ll keep saying “we”, because it’s still me and “we” and it will be forever. “We feel and disagree now. It’s not easy and honestly it hurts…but her life will go on and she will go on saving others and so much more and I will see she will never stop and work harder than ever in her name and want to encourage all you have to do is the same.”
Angel’s sweet photo was pinned on Rebecca Corry’s plane ride to New York City
She continued:
To counter the few you asked, the answer is no. There will be no kissing booth at Stand Up for the Hole events. To put any size or type of dog we don’t know in a situation he’s not used to being a kissing booth is irresponsible, unfair to the dog and ignorant. Angel was me, my responsibility and she absolutely loved booth kissing and was magical in doing so. Plus, the kissing booth was very special to both Angel and for many reasons. That’s all to say on this matter and I will appreciate your respect and understanding.
Rebecca kissing Piper
The collection was dedicated to Velvet Frost, including stories about British dry humor and how much she loves all people. A very moving moment of silence was given, with many sniffles around the house as everyone remembered and respected a truly enormous life. Angel’s spirit was with everyone that night. The evening ended with a beautiful scene of Rebecca and Janian, and some others dancing on stage and in the crowd to Nant Merchant’s “Kind and Generous” – the richest song that can be attributed to Angel.
During the show, Rebecca wore her new Angel hoodie that she designed (you can buy it here)
Rebecca and Janian greeted VIP guests after the show, where they signed posters donated by Show Your Soft Side—a Baltimore-based nonprofit that raises money and awareness for shelter/rescue animals.
Janine Garofalo (left) and Rebecca Corey (right) sign posters for VIP audience members after the show
BarkPost Miss Currie asked how the outpouring of love from fans after Angel’s death affected her face, and she replied:
Honestly, it was hard just getting out of bed and brushing my teeth even I haven’t seen much, but the comments and stories I’ve seen from people who have adopted, become volunteers or followers, teachers and advocates all because of the owners are the people that influence me the most. People who have changed their lives and are actively involved in the solution because of Angel and the SUFP Foundation is great to see and the level at which this is happening. However, there is still a lot of work to be done and we all need to focus on that.
The Miss Cori pageant will still run at the sold out show in Arlington on Sunday, May 8, but there are still tickets left for several other shows including the Baltimore show on May 15. In addition to New York, Arlington, and Baltimore, Stand Up For Pits will also be performing in Indianapolis, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Tacoma this year. Tickets can be purchased through the Stand Up For Pits Foundation website here.
Show your support and honor this amazing woman and angel by attending an event not to be missed! If you are unable to access a show and would like to donate or learn more about what they do, please visit the website, follow Facebook and Instagram, and get involved.
We are the sound of vosell! If you suspect someone is fighting dogs, call 1-877-777-2585 in Los Angeles County. The national line number is 1-877-TIP-HSUS. If a dog fight is in progress immediately call 911.
Featured image via: Standing Up for Foundation Excavation
