Tattoo event in Medina raises $7K for PAWS
Provided photos: Sommer Froman of Inktellectuals Tattoo in Buffalo, left, and Shawn Ramsey Canalside Tattoo Company in Medina, right, were among six tattoo artists on July 22 in a benefit for the PAWS Animal Shelter in Albion.
MEDINA – Six tattoo artists did 121 tattoos on July 22, raising $7,000 for the PAWS Animal Shelter during a “Totally Pawsome Tattoo Fundraiser” at Canalside Tattoo Company.
The benefit was intended to last from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., but demand kept two of the artists working until midnight.
Shawn Ramsey, owner of Canalside Tattoo Company, opened his business for the day and worked as a tattooer with Tyler Vercruysse and Joshua Schutrum of Canalside, Lonnie Froman of Froman Ink in Medina, Sommer Froman of Inktellectuals Tattoo in Buffalo and Andrew London of London Ink in Albion.
“We chose the artists we did because they all got their start or are from Orleans County,” Ramsey said. “We are a charitable company but we believe in keeping charity among Orleans County, where we make our livelihood.”
Tyler Vercruysse works on a tattoo during the benefit. He did tattoos for 13 hours. He also suggested doing the fundraiser to help PAWS.
Ramsey said several of his customers have adopted animals from PAWS, which is located on Gaines Basin Road in Albion.
“We here are all animal lovers and we have all supported animal adoption and rescue organizations in the past,” Ramsey said. “PAWS was very receptive to our idea of the fundraiser and we are very happy they were willing to come spend their day here with us as well.”
Ramsey said many other tattoo studios do similar benefits.
“It’s great for the community and helps build awareness of the animal shelters in need as well as the local tattoo artists and tattoo studios willing to donate their time,” he said. “What separates our event from some others is that we all worked for free that day. Donating 100 percent of the proceeds to the organization.”
The tattooers did 121 tattoos with a suggested donation of $50. Ramsey said many people gave more than the $50 and other people made donations, which pushed the total to $7,000.
There was a long line on Main Street before the doors opened at 11 a.m. for the benefit.
