Chalk drawings memorializing Charlie the Cat were left on paths at Whites Road Park in Lansdale in Aug. 2024 Photo by James Short.
Plans are in the works for a lasting memorial to a beloved local, Charlie the cat.
“The department is saddened by the recent passing of Charlie, the beloved cat who had become a staple at Whites Road Park,” said Parks and Recreation Director Courtney Fox. “I have been working closely with a family representative to coordinate the installation of a memorial within the park.”
In August residents were saddened by the sudden death of Charlie, an orange cat known to frequent Whites Road Park who was euthanized after suffering severe injuries. Charlie’s online fan club held an in-person tribute at the park and started an online fundraiser for a lasting tribute.
Charlie the cat.Early talks have begun with Charlie’s family on a possible memorial somewhere in the park, to be funded by community donations, and meant “to benefit both the park and the community at large,” Fox told the parks and recreation committee on Wednesday night.
“A couple of things that came up in our discussion was possibly a small playground piece, a bench, a plaque, a couple of different other ideas, but to make sure it benefits people that use the park. And people can go there and remember Charlie, who was a sweet little boy,” she said.
Committee chairwoman Rachael Bollens added her own condolences while delivering her parks committee report — “stay tuned for (details), and RIP lovely Charlie,” and councilwoman Carrie Oglesby invited council members and the public to attend a memorial and pet supply drive scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8 at the park.
The Sunday event, organized by resident Kristen Kidd, will celebrate Sept. 8 being "White's Road Park Charlie Day" in Lansdale. It will also be a pet supply donation drive for Manna on Main Street.
Kidd said the event is "to commit to his spirit of community, kindness and acceptance through proclaiming Charlie's Day, collecting pet supply donation items for Manna on Main and reflecting together on the transformational power of all creatures great and small."
Pets are allowed at the event, as well as any items to dedicates to Charlie's memorial.
As far as the GoFundMe for Charlie's memorial, it has surpassed its original goal of $5,000 and is gaining speed toward the new $7,500 goal, sitting at $6,407 as of Friday afternoon. Donate to the memorial fundraiser here.
Resident Richard Sassaman is also selling special "Live Like Charlie" car decals. Order one here.
Richard Sassaman/Facebook Fans can also purchase a Charlie the Cat calendar for $20, with all proceeds going to the memorial. Check out the details here and pre-order a calendar via Google Forms here.
Mayor Garry Herbert added that he’s prepared a proclamation for the late cat, declaring that day to be “Whites Road Park Charlie Day,” and summarizing the impact the cat had on the community: “Charlie’s story is a reminder of the special connections that can form between animals and people, turning a simple park visit into something truly memorable.”
Lansdale Mayor Garry Herbert poses with a proclamation declaring Sunday, Sept. 8 to be “Charlie Day” at the borough council meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024.Towamencin supervisor Laura Smith added condolences on behalf of that township during their board’s meeting last week, saying Charlie’s life could help teach kids.
“I would like to offer our condolences to Lansdale, to the family, but I would also encourage parents to have conversations with their children about the fragility of animals, and life, and to help kids fight the gang mentality,” she said.
“People have said that kids threw rocks at the cats, and just have a conversation. Everybody wants to say ‘Not my child,’ but when kids are faced with the gang mentality, they go along to get along. They can’t always make the right choice. But it’s just such a tragic thing, a little creature, that someone could take that away.”
North Penn Now editor Tony Di Domizio contributed to this article.
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