Saturday, November 7, 2026
A national fundraising tour that has raised millions of dollars for animal shelters across the country came to Long Island to help BARRK Rescue Inc., a Valley Stream-based dog rescue.
Jordan’s Way, a livestream fundraising tour founded by Kris Rotonda, held a three-hour live fundraiser for BARRK on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CANZ, 777 Beech St., in Long Beach.
Rotonda started Jordan’s Way in honor of his late rescue dog, Jordan. The tour travels the country hosting live broadcasts that raise money and awareness for shelters and rescue groups that are short on funding. Each stop is a fast-paced, interactive show that mixes entertainment, emotional stories, over-the-top fundraising challenges and real-time conversation with viewers. The goal is to turn people watching online into supporters of local rescues.
Over the years, the organization has helped raise millions of dollars for animal welfare groups and has drawn attention to thousands of homeless animals waiting to be adopted.
During the Long Island stop, viewers from across the country were able to watch and donate as Rotonda takes on challenges, introduces adoptable dogs and shares the stories of animals that depend on rescue groups like BARRK. All money raised will go directly toward veterinary care, transportation, foster programs, supplies and other services for the dogs in BARRK’s care.
“Every dog deserves a chance at a safe, loving future, and events like this help make that possible,” said Kristina Howley, BARRK’s founder. “We are honored to partner with Jordan’s Way and Kris to shine a spotlight on rescue dogs and raise the funds needed to continue saving lives. This event is more than fundraising. It’s creating hope, awareness, and opportunities for dogs that need us most.”
Howley founded BARRK on Long Island as a nonprofit, foster-based rescue. Instead of housing dogs in a shelter, the group places them with volunteer foster families while they wait for permanent homes. The rescue takes in homeless, neglected, abandoned and at-risk dogs and works to rehabilitate them and match them with adopters.
The group’s mission is summed up in a motto it lives by: “Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.”
Local businesses were invited to take part by donating money during the livestream or by giving supplies for the dogs. Businesses that contributed were able to receive recognition during the broadcast.
Organizers said the event was a chance to make an immediate difference for rescue dogs still waiting for a second chance, and to bring more attention to homeless animals on Long Island.
