By Kathy Chaffin

Salisbury Post

Christmastime at Scooter’s Pub and Billiards is all about children and animals.

For the second year in a row, Scooter’s, located at 14910 Stokes Ferry Road, is collecting new toys and clothing for the children in Rowan County’s foster program.

And for the fourth year in a row, the pub is accepting donations of food and pet supplies for the dogs and cats at the Rowan County Animal Shelter.

Bonnie Turner, who owns and operates the pub with her son, Brandon, said they collected almost $4,000 worth of donations last year.

“We had a whole minivan packed full of stuff for the Rowan County foster children,” she said. And it took a truck to deliver all the food and pet supplies to the animal shelter.

This year, the pub will be collecting items and monetary donations through Dec. 22, when Turner is planning a big Christmas party beginning at 9 p.m.

“We’re going to do karaoke that night with a live deejay there,” she said, “so I’m going to try to get people to bring some kind of donation to get in that night.

“I’m not going to turn anyone away, but I’d like them to know that donations are needed.”

The pub will also accept a new toy worth $5 or more in lieu of the $5 cover charge Saturday night to hear Bad Habit, a local country/Southern rock band.

Buddy’s Tavern, located 3 miles down Stokes Ferry Road, is partnering with Scooter’s on the Christmas collection drive.

Turner said customers have already started donating to the cause.

“I just had a man to hand me $50 to go buy cat food,” she said. Another man has promised to donate $500 for toys for foster children.

Scooter’s is working with the Rowan County Department of Social Services to distribute donations to foster children. Sweat shirts and pants and socks are needed, along with new toys for boys and girls, Turner said.

The Rowan County Animal Shelter prefers canned cat and dog food, but will accept dry food. Any kind of pet supplies can also be used, including cages, bowls, doggy treats, pet equipment and toys and sheets and quilts to put on the cement floor for newborns to lie on.

The animal shelter is in dire need of cat litter, she said.

Checks should be written to either the Rowan County Animal Shelter or the Rowan County Department of Social Services.

Donations will be delivered on Dec. 23.

Turner said Scooter’s is a family club where children and animals are always welcome. “We’re very, very strict on underage drinking,” she said, “so they don’t get away with anything.

“It’s a good place for people to hang out, and right now, we need those good people to turn in some donations for the kids and animals.”

Scooter’s is open Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to around 11 and on Fridays and Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information, call Scooter’s at 704-798-9296.

Contact Kathy Chaffin at 704-797-4249 or kchaffin@salisburypost.com.