Valuable Airstream donated to Humane Society of Tampa Bay

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - As the Humane Society of Tampa Bay looks toward the construction of a new shelter, and animal lover has made a valuable - and interesting - donation that will help save strays across the Bay Area.

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay was given a 2018 Tommy Bahama Airstream trailer that could be worth up to $89,000.

The person who donated the trailer bought it for $79,000, according to shelter officials, who said the money will go toward the new shelter they hope to start building by spring.

Less than a week after they were given the Airstream, shelter officials put it up for a sale. A few days later, they had a buyer. 

Joe Scifo sealed the deal Monday afternoon. Scifo said his wife sent him the ad and they both agreed to jump on it.

"To be honest, when she sent it to me, I thought it was too good to be true," said Scifo.

According to the shelter's chief development officer, Ornella Varchi, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay is still $2 million short of its goal to fully finance the new facility, but every donation counts and the trailer will surely make a difference.

"We were very excited and extremely grateful to receive this," said Ornella Varchi, the chief development officer for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

An animal lover himself, Scifo said he's glad to know his purchase supports a cause.

"It was an easy decision. I knew where the money was going and I knew what it was helping and it was a no-brainer for us," he said.