A Derby Day To Help Local Pets!
Exciting things are happening at Plymouth Helping Hands for Animals and they all lead back to one goal: helping local pets get the care they need.
From providing life-saving veterinary care to keeping pets well-fed through our pet food pantries, your support allows us to make a real difference every day.
Now, we have an incredible opportunity to take our mission to the next level: Helping Hands has been chosen as the charitable beneficiary of the Annual Red Carpet Gala Kentucky Derby Party hosted by Alden Park Bar & Grill on May 2, 2026.
This special event is a day for celebration, community, and helping local pets get the care they deserve. Alden Park has held this charitable event for 15 years, each year generously spotlighting and benefiting a Plymouth area local nonprofit organization.
Join Us For The Big Day
The Derby Party at Alden Park is shaping up to be an unforgettable afternoon. Guests will enjoy red carpet arrivals, live music, delicious food, festive Derby hats, silent auctions and raffles, and the thrill of watching the Kentucky Derby live. Every ticket, raffle entry, and donation directly supports pets in need and the owners who care for them.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together, have fun, and make a meaningful impact.
Want To Join In On The Fun?
There are many ways to get involved! Attend the Derby Party, buy a Derby square, donate a raffle or silent auction item, or become a corporate sponsor. Businesses looking for promotional opportunities can contact Brian Gratton at briang@aldenparkrestaurant.com. Every contribution helps us provide food and medical support for pets across our community.
We’re off to the races to make our biggest impact yet! Join us for a memorable Derby Day supporting local pets.
Racing Toward Real Impact
Events like the Derby Party are more than a day of fun—they directly translate into life-saving care and critical support for pets in our community. Stories like Leo’s are exactly why events like this matter.
Just last week, we helped Leo, a young dog whose life was in serious danger—a story not unlike many other urgent calls we receive.
Leo's Story
Leo was vomiting uncontrollably, and after a visit to urgent care and then a further exam and X-rays at his regular vet, he was diagnosed with an intestinal obstruction. It was serious, life-threatening, and required immediate endoscopic or surgical intervention. At the critical care vet hospital, Leo’s distraught owner was presented with a cost estimate of $10,000 and needed a $6,000 down payment she could not afford. She called sobbing, desperate to save her beloved dog.
One of our volunteers sprang into action, reaching out to the MSPCA Cape Cod Clinic. Thanks to Mercedes Salaris, Clinic Manager, who understood the urgency and arranged emergency care, Leo was able to undergo life-saving surgery at an affordable cost. He is home now, slowly but surely recovering from his major surgery.
Leo’s mom shared this heartfelt message with us:
“I really thought I was going to lose my dog and because of you I didn’t and I really would love to show my appreciation. And I know I can’t say it enough, but thank you from the bottom of my heart. I don’t know what I would have ever done if you didn’t appear and help me out the way you did when you didn’t even have to ... it means the world to me and Leo.”
Leo’s story is just one of many urgent calls Helping Hands receives when pets are in critical condition. Thanks to our trusted partners, volunteer network, and your donations, we are able to respond quickly and make life-saving treatments affordable, saving pets every day.
Not only do we respond to medical emergencies, but our pet food pantries are serving more patrons than ever before. We love seeing new faces and continuing to support repeat visitors, knowing that every bag of food helps provide healthy meals to pets who might otherwise go without.
Mikey and his mom, and Finn and his dad, are just a few of the visitors who came through our pantry at the Center for Active Living last week. These happy faces show the real impact your support creates—helping pets stay happy, healthy, and cared for in their loving homes.
Join The Race To Help Local Pets
The Kentucky Derby Party at Alden Park is more than a day of fun—it’s a lifeline for pets and the owners who love them.
By attending, purchasing tickets, donating raffle items, or becoming a sponsor, you are helping pets like Leo receive essential veterinary care and providing essential support through our pet food pantries for dozens of pets each week.
Mark your calendars for May 2, grab your best Derby hat, and join us for a day full of excitement, community spirit, and life-changing impact.
Together, we can make Derby Day matter—for local pets.
