WOLFEBORO — An enterprising trio of cousins is holding its third annual marketplace on Sewall Road this Saturday to raise money for the Lakes Region Humane Society.

Katherine Baylis, 14, of Shelton, Conn., and her cousins, Will Backer, 12, and sister Elizabeth Backer, of Plymouth, Mich., spend part of their summers with grandparents Roger and Karen Hardy of Sewall Road. The youngsters first thought of raising money for the Lakes Region Humane Society three years ago and opened a lemonade stand. They raised $300 in a day. From there, they decided to add other treats and crafts, such as handmade jewelry, hair clips, parachute bracelets, potholders, cookies, brownies, pretzel rods dipped in M&M chocolate and, the seasonal favorite, lemonade.

The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hardy's home at 274 Sewall Road, Sat., Aug. 4 the same day as the Huggins Hospital Street Fair.

Katherine said her grandparents suggested donating to the shelter since they knew some of the people who work there. She and her animal- loving cousins started working on their products during the winter.

“We slowly start making things, and we make a lot of the products the week before we come here,” she said.

Last year, after the trio added more treats and crafts, they raised $477 for the shelter.

“They work all winter long, and Karen and Roger help, too” said LRHS Managing Director Claire Donahue.

For the Lakes Region Humane Society, no fund raising event is ever too small, and each and every donation is appreciated.

The need for funding is constant, said Donahue. Donations come from a variety of sources, including elementary children who collect dog and cat food and pet toys, kids donating their allowances and larger events that the LRHS hosts, such as the spring fashion show and upcoming golf tournament. The nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter based in Ossipee requires $300,000 annually to operate. Last month, antiques and jewelry dealer Maureen Kalfas held a silver and gold trade event at the shelter and donated more than $1,000 of her profit to the shelter.

The Humane Society also has cash donation boxes located near cash registers in local restaurants and shops.

The society will also host its annual golf tournament, Play Fore the Pets, at the Kingswood Golf Course in Ossipee on Sept. 21, and a golf ball drop contest following the event. Golf balls will be dropped from a helicopter, and the person with the ball number ticket that lands closest to the pin wins $1,000.

Later this fall is the annual Woofe-minster Walk on Saturday, Sept. 29 on the shelter grounds. Masters and their dogs walk together as a team to raise money for the shelter. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m., the walk starts at 11:30 and ends at 12:30 p.m. with a cookout, canine demonstrations and contests.

lmulkern@newstote.com