What started as a 10-year-old's interest in a reality show about fashion design has turned into a profit for Pet Project in Grand Ridge.

Gracy Neilsen enjoyed watching host Heidi Klum and fashion designers judge hopeful designers create clothing each week on Project Runway. Her mother, Di Neilsen, decided to feed her daughter's interest by purchasing her a sewing machine and a Project Runway dress form for her birthday.

Gracy started sewing without any particular focus, but one day found a purpose.

She visited the Pet Project animal shelter in Grand Ridge with her father and saw several homeless dogs and cats. The fifth-grader at St. Patrick's School in Ottawa, who has five dogs and 11 fish, wanted to do something to better their lives.

"I felt bad," Gracy said. "I didn't know they actually lived there. They didn't have a home."

So she began sewing fleece blankets, pillows and toys — anything a pet would like. She chooses the color palettes, can personalize the products with names and even designs the tags. Her items are for sale at Lady Di's and proceeds will be donated to Pet Project.

Her mother was impressed by Gracy's business-savvy, but more so that she was giving the proceeds to a nonprofit organization.

"I love it," she said. "It's great. She gets creative with it."

Gracy primarily works on sewing projects on the weekends and began selling her items in February.

Gracy will present a check for about $150 at the "Save Our Shelter" fundraiser 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at JJ's Pub, 104 W. Main St.

Julie Beyer, who established the shelter with Charlene Bailey, said fundraising for the shelter is especially crucial now, as an expiration date nears on the shelter's location. The shelter needs to be out of its current facility by Thursday, Dec. 31. Pet Project is raising funds for a new shelter or for foster care.

The cost to attend the fundraiser is $20 and includes draft beer, soda and hors devours donated by JJ's Pub. A silent auction will be present.

Tickets can be purchased at JJ's Pub; Bill Walsh, Toyota, 4000 N. Columbus St., Ottawa; Honda, 4120 Columbus St., Ottawa; Saturn, 1752 E. Norris Drive, Ottawa; Sierra Motors, 510 E. Norris Drive, Ottawa; and Bill Walsh Streator, 2330 N. Bloomington St.; Flex Gym, 1309 Starfire Drive; Lady Di's, 717 La Salle St., Ottawa; and Starved Rock Hot Glass, 700 W. Main St., Ottawa.





Pet Project's "Save Our Shelter"

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct., 15.

Where: JJ's Pub, 104 W. Main St.

Cost: $20