I’ve been watching Oprah’s Big Give. It’s inspired me to get out in my community more and give bigger. Sure, I’ve donated to charity auctions and volunteered time at community events, but there was always something in it for me (publicity for my company, or free tickets to events I wanted to see). Nothing wrong with that kind of giving of course, and I encourage you and your family to get involved in whatever way you see fit – build houses with Habitat for Humanity, raise money for a family in need, take time out of your busy schedule to coach Little League (even if you don’t have kids), support a community garden. You get my drift. We live in an advanced country, with so many options that it’s mind-boggling. But still, you don’t need to go farther than your own backyard to find a person, a child or an animal in need. Make a commitment in honor of your mom and moms everywhere to do something this month to support your community in your own way.
Obviously, I write the Points on Pets column here at the Old Town Crier. So thinking about giving back turns naturally to ways to help animals.
The obvious thoughts came to mind – finding a local shelter or rescue group and writing a check. Don’t get me wrong – that’s fabulous! I haven’t met a non-profit yet that didn’t need more money for operations and rescue work. But, why not think BIGGER? Take your check and challenge your friends, colleagues, neighbors, boss, company or kids to make it a bigger check? Hold a neighborhood pot-luck and ask for donations for the shelter in lieu of dessert, hold a block party where you have Twister games lined up down the street and each spin is a dollar? Maybe have an entrance fee for a kick-butt Croquet Tournament?
Believe me, these aren’t my original ideas, I’ve worked with non-profits and Greek letter organizations for years and they have some of the most creative minds around. Here are some other wonderful ideas for fundraising from the big productions to the neighborhood dinner: Bass Fishing tournament, one-on-one basketball tournament, Hot Man/Woman on the Block contest, cook-off, and restaurant benefit nights. You can ask for donations to your shelter or rescue organization of choice in lieu of birthday, anniversary or retirement gifts or you can organize a food and shelter drive in your home.
However, folks that work with animals from the Bay to the Blue Ridge agree that there are other ways you can give big to the animals. They include:
- Volunteering at the shelter or as a foster family or as a handler at community adoption events;
- Educating yourself, your kids and your neighbors about spaying and neutering;
- Adopting from a shelter when you want a new pet – yes, they have purebreds there too;
- Meeting with animal care consultants who can educate you on finding the right pet for your family – so that you don’t end up relinquishing when the care, routine or other needs get to be too much;
- Writing to your elected officials about breed-specific legislation that is discriminatory;
- Complying with local leash laws;
- Training your dog to at least basic obedience levels, this way Sparky is a wonderful ambassador for canines world-wide;
- Attending local events sponsored by the rescue of your choice, showing your support goes a long way to getting the word out that we care about animals;
- donating used towels and linens to your local rescue;
- providing makeovers for dogs and cats who are in need of adoption;
- taking photos of animals awaiting adoption so that they can posted on the various websites;
- donating your time and talent to write copy, build and maintain a web presence or create ads for rescue organizations in your community;
- serving on the Board of Directors of your local animal non-profit;
- Educating yourself about animal rescue, animal welfare and the laws in your community;
- Educating yourself about puppy mills and unsafe and inhumane conditions, so that you can make informed decisions about where you get your next pet.
