Recently the MSPCA closed a large facility in Springfield. Not because there were no longer animals that needed the services it provided but because there was no longer enough money to provide those services. Another, already overburdened, area shelters took in the animals that were again being left homeless. A friend e-mailed me about the situation. I forwarded her plea to all of my friends and used my company newsletter and blog get the word out. That's all it took to get the ball rolling.
In addition to money, shelters need volunteers to walk the dogs, clean the facilities and help with general office tasks like stuffing envelopes. They need towels and bedding, office supplies, cleaning products and pet food. Within a month, enough supplies were dropped off at my office to fill a Toyota 4 Runner. We received twelve gently used cat condos, several dog beds and over 25 pounds of dog and cat food. One woman wrote to tell me it never occurred to her to volunteer at an animal shelter until she read the blog. Now she is a regular dog walker and loving every mile. A local parish thrift shop saves unsellable towels and bedding to be dropped off at the shelter on an ongoing basis.
MISSION VALLEY
Shelters and food banks for humans can use much of the same kind of help. Volunteer at a food pantry, organize a company wide food drive. Collect sample bottles of shampoo and bars of soap provided to travels and the toothpaste and tooth brush samples from dentists. Personal hygiene products are always welcome donations at shelters.
I met a group of retirees who get together monthly and sew simple teddy bears to give to fire and police departments. The bears are given to children the officers encounter at fires, accidents or domestic violence calls. The supplies to make the bears, the sewing machines and even the service to keep the machines operating are all donated by area businesses.
Many service organizations have pet projects. The Lions Club collects used eye glasses. The Red Cross is always in need of blood. Get your company to sponsor a blood drive or become a donor yourself.
Even when money is tight, you can continue to support the causes that are important to you. You may even find volunteering to be more fun and rewarding that simply writing a check.
Donations to Non-Profits Are on the Decline MISSION VALLEY
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