Andrea Galabinski Commemorative bricks are part of ARC’s new Pathway To Hope, constructed by Vila and Son Landscaping Corporation.

It’s a pathway that exemplifies hope, said Animal Refuge Center officials of a recently completed project at the North Fort Myers-based center.

“Over 450 orphaned pets at ARC hope for a loving home of their own every day. This pathway exemplifies that hope,” said ARC board member and Treasurer Betty Hughes.

The special pathway was recently completed by Fort Myers-based Vila and Son Landscaping Corporation, which celebrated its 25th year in business by reaching out to the community it said has served it so well over the years.

The corporation offered to design and create a brick “Pathway of Hope.”

“This completed pathway extends from the beginning of the canine village all the way to the canine food preparation office,” Hughes said. “It offers an even surface to reach all the lodge rows with the food and supply carts. It is wide enough to walk dogs out to the exercise yards and even drive the Green Machine out to the main part of the sanctuary for bulk deliveries.

The special pathway was recently completed by Vila and Son Landscaping, which is giving 2,500 hours to community service to celebrate its 25th year anniversary.

“The Pathway of Hope also serves as a way to honor and memorialize people or pets with an engraved brick,” Hughes continued. “The purchase price of $75 for a brick helps support the operation of a non-euthanasia sanctuary like ARC.”

“We’re celebrating our 25th anniversary this year and we decided we wanted to donate 2,500 hours of community service work for various projects,” said Vila and Son’s general manager Wade Chapman. “One of ours sales associates brought this opportunity to us as part of our effort to give back to the community. That’s our way of giving back to the community we live in.”

He said everyone at his corporation was pleased with how the project turned out.

“We were very happy to do it and were thrilled with the opportunity to work with the folks at ARC,” Chapman said. “We enjoyed it and hope they enjoy the benefits of the pathway.”

Hughes reported that Vila and Son Landscaping spent the first day designing and framing the walkway. The subsequent two days were spent laying the bricks and inserting engraved bricks that had been waiting for a new “home.” “ARC would like to thank owners Juan Carlos Vila and Baudilio Vila for giving back to the community they so love in this fashion,” said Hughes.

The landscaping corporation specializes in construction, installation and maintenance both for the public and private sector.

Vila and Son Landscaping is located at 4175 Buckingham Rd. in Fort Myers. The number 466-2700.

ARC’s upcoming events include dance party

Two events in July will help raise money for ARC and for needy families in the community.

“On July 18, we have Save The Pets at the Tangiers Outlet Mall on Summerln Drive,” said ARC development director Carlos Navedo. “We are going to be doing a human and pet food drive. Harry Chapin Food Bank representatives will be out there. It’s not only to feed the pets, it’s to feed the kids. Through the summer some kids are not getting proper meals. Basically we are doing a full collection to feed the children and pets who are not getting a nutritious meal.”

After that drive, there is a fun dance-themed event.

On Saturday, July 25, you can attend a Dance Day Benefit from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio located at 12123 S Cleveland Ave. in Fort Myers.

Carly Goellner, one of the dance instructors, is coordinating that event.

“We have a bunch of things going on that day,” she said. “In the afternoon we have a beginners group class, then we’re also having a live auction and a professional performance. They’ll be food, drink, social dancing and a special performance by one of the ARC Pets.

“It’s $10 at the door, and any additional donation of dog and cat food of equal value will get participants a free private lesson by us,” she said.

Fred Astaire Dance Studio owner/manager Steve Wilkie said many local TV celebrities have taken lessons there and expressed interest in helping with the event.

Celebrity participants will be announced next week.

“I think it’s extremely important right now – with the recession – to do benefits like this,” he said. “Large numbers of animals are being abandoned as people are losing their homes. This will be a fun, exciting way to support truly a noble organization.”

Wilkie’s studio will also be having a national dance celebrity visiting July 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. It’s Tony Dovolani from Dancing With The Stars.

“I’m a former dance competitor and knew Tony before the show,” Wilkie said. “It’s a fund-raiser for Make A Wish Foundation.”

For the ARC event, just show up on the date. You will need reservations for the Make A Wish event. Call for details to the studio at 939-1517.

Incorporated in 1988, Animal Refuge Center is a not-for-profit animal welfare society, dedicated to caring for all homeless animals brought to its care at its 22-acre sanctuary in North Fort Myers. The sanctuary houses a Welcome Center, Canine Training Center, 12 feline facilities, 29 canine lodges and is home to more than 350 cats and 60 dogs.

For information on ARC events, call ARC at 731-3535 or visit AnimalRefuge.com.