The holiday season has snuck up on us again. We have barely put away our Halloween decorations, and it’s time to put up a Christmas tree.
This season is known for many things, but one of the most important is giving. It is the season of giving.
Running a charitable organization really opens your eyes to the importance of giving. Katie’s Place exists because of giving, and not just during the holidays, but throughout the year.
The giving of time by our amazing team of volunteers, who come in day after day, week after week, month after month, to care for and tend to the animals, and all their needs. Without a crew like ours, the animals at Katie’s Place would not be as happy, healthy, and clean as they are.
The volunteers who give up their time to attend events on Katie’s Place behalf, the ones who create beautiful objects for us to sell, the ones who organize, the ones who medicate the sick, and so many others who keep the shelter running.
The giving of services by our local vets is another example. There are several vets in our community that go out of their way to help us treat animals with illnesses, do regular check-ups, and help animals pass when the time comes.
We have an incredible group of men and women who understand the special needs of shelter animals, and make every effort to keep them healthy.
The giving of free promotion by several local businesses should also be noted. It helps the shelter survive, as people need to know about it. They need to know about the animals that call it home.
Katie’s Place is lucky to have businesses that let the community know we exist via the local media (this publication being one of them), or through various initiatives.
Then, of course, we have the businesses that support us by giving us the supplies we desperately need, whether it’s nails for our porch or toilet paper.
And, of course, there is the giving of financial support by the fantastic citizens of this community. The people who donate regularly, the people who sponsor animals living at the shelter, the people who raise money for Katie’s Place, the people who we would not exist without.
Katie’s Place would like to thank all of you for giving. Without you many animals would not have a safe, warm, clean place in which to spend the holidays. Spending them in a shelter, not a home, may not be ideal, but we know that for many the alternative would be dreadful.
Thank you for making Katie’s Place such a success, and by success I mean the ability to help so many animals. Just one thought for this holiday season. Katie’s Place may be a success, but we will have truly succeeded when we are able to close our doors because there is no need for us anymore. And the only way we will ever get there is because of so many people, groups, organizations, and businesses that are willing to give. Happy Holidays, from Katie’s Place.
– By Magdalena Romanow, a volunteer at Katie's Place animal shelter.