FL Event Held In Frenchie’s Honor Raises $40K For Animal Rescue

TAMPA, FL — Downtown Tampa venue, 511 Franklin, recently hosted a tribute event for its co-founder’s pup, Frankie the Frenchie, and raised $40,000 for local animal rescue Mercy Full Project.

Frankie was adopted by Stanton & Bowery Hospitality co-founder Josh Acheatel when the pup was 12 years old. The beloved rescue lived a cherished life until he was 16.

Now, the company regularly hosts events supporting animal welfare, including the fundraiser in Frankie’s honor earlier this month. 511 Franklin unveiled a mural depicting the Frenchie, and also hosted a golf tournament and pet adoption event in partnership with Mercy Full Project.

The nonprofit’s founder Heydi Acuna said this event is an example of how local businesses can support the work she does in the community.

“We’re always trying to look for partnerships in the community and to get businesses involved, and every penny makes a difference,” she told Patch. “Local businesses can get involved in many ways. This was very special because Josh is such an animal lover who loved his rescued Frenchie.”

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Since its opening in 2019, Mercy Full Project has rescued more than 2,800 animals that have since been adopted, donated nearly 100,000 pounds of pet food, hosted 27 local park clean-up events, and educated nearly 10,000 children on the importance of animal care and rescue.

The organization has more than 200 active foster homes and more than 50,000 in volunteer hours at its Hyde Park-area shelter. Last year, it paid about $250,000 on vet bills.

“We try to work so hard and help as many people in the community as we can,” Acuna said.

How Mercy Full Project Began

The Colombia native’s first job was working in a vet’s office when she was 16 years old and dreamed of that career path for herself one day.

“Ideally, when I came here to this country, I wanted to become a vet, but life happens and that couldn’t happen. So, I did other things,” she said.

Acuna held various jobs, working for a while as a preschool teacher before joining corporate America.

“Just trying to climb the ladder,” she said.

In her free time, she and her husband volunteered with other rescue groups and assisted with hurricane relief efforts. Eventually, she decided she wanted to dedicate her life to animal rescue.

“I came home and told my husband, ‘I want to do this,’ and thought he would say, ‘Oh no, you’re crazy,’” Acuna said. “Instead, he was very supportive. We’ve been growing and growing and growing ever since. I dedicate my 1,000 percent into this.”

While she operates a facility to take in strays and surrendered animals, her goal is ultimately to get them all into foster homes.

“The goal is that they’re out of there and they’re not in a kennel,” she said.

From Dogs To Chickens, Helping Any Animal In Need

It’s a difficult but necessary role to fill in the community, Acuna added. “We see a lot of neglect and a lot of abuse everywhere.”

She’s ready to help any animal in need that she learns about.

“Dogs, cats, ferrets, bunnies, chickens — we have two or three chickens right now — ducks, squirrels,” she said. “Whatever we can help, we take in.”

She’s touched by the community's assistance with her mission, whether it’s the financial donations needed to pay for health care and food, foster homes to take in rescues, or volunteers who help with day-to-day operations.

“That’s why we’re always trying to get people to come see what we do,” Acuna said. “If I don’t have them to help me, I’m not able to do this.”

She added, “And we’re not always asking, ‘Give us, give us, give us.’ We give back, too.”

Mercy Full Project offers yoga classes to children who survived cancer or are undergoing cancer treatment, brings puppies to assisted living facilities, and provides a free pet food pantry,

The organization’s next big project is to raise funds for a low-cost spay-and-neuter clinic.