GARDINER -- Walter Dupont already has half a truck load of dog and cat food donated by two pet stores in Augusta.

He hopes to collect plenty more during a special charity “cruise night” on June 19 to benefit the Kennebec Valley Humane Society.

"Cruizing for Animals" will start at 5 p.m. at Ainslie’s Market off U.S. Route 201 in Gardiner.

Walter and his wife, Rochelle Dupont, belong to a group of classic car lovers who meet at Ainslie’s every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. between May 1 and the end of September. The nights the group meets are called “cruise nights”.

“Petco in Augusta and the Kennel Shop donated the pet food and I got some toys,” Dupont, a retired machinist, said. “Of course, I’ve been announcing it the last couple of cruise nights.”

Show car owners are asked to donate money or bring bag or can pet food, toys, bedding or accessories including leashes and collars to the event.

-- Mechele Cooper