The Holidays Stay in Our Hearts

It's hard to know where to start in sharing the happenings of the past two months. The holidays came and went. A huge outpouring of Love from many people during the holidays made the end of 2007 very special. This newsletter will discuss a few of the events that touched all of us, but can't begin to do justice to the outpouring of Love and Kindness that our shelter experienced.

Most touching, perhaps, was the display of poinsettia and ornament tributes and memorials to pets and people. A record number of participants in this special fund raising event created a visual reminder of how loved are the special pets and people in our lives. People would enter the Hospitality Center and look for the ribbons bearing the names of the pets and people being honored or remembered. Many of the pets named on the ribbons had been adopted from Animals In Distress. Some were adopted years ago and have passed on; others are lovingly honored, by many of our friends and supporters.

These tributes are like visible witnesses of the power of Love. Our shelter is blessed to be so loved, and our work is possible only because of the hundreds, indeed thousands, of people who share their hearts, their lives, their prayers, and their support with us.

Despite a snowy and intimidating day weather-wise, our holiday Open House and Craft and Gift Bazaar were well attended. Everyone raved about the food supplied by Ron and Marlene Kuhns, who adopted an AID dog and who also own a concession business where food service trailers are set up at events. They provided all the food and cooked and served it, donating 100% of the profits to the shelter for the second year in a row. Blue Heaven, a music group from Delaware, came all that way to perform all afternoon.

Thanks also to all who made and donated baskets for the Basket Social: everyone who saw the baskets praised them for their variety and creativity. Another thank you to all who made dog biscuits and baked goods, and who donated various craft and gift items for the bazaar. Most of all, thanks to all who attended or supported these events in any way. You made all of our efforts super successful and let us know how much you care about the animals at the shelter.

Special mention must be made of all the volunteers who set up the event and manned the tables. Marla Burke coordinated endless details, while Marion Repko coordinated the Basket Social and many others helped out in countless ways. Congratulations to Nancy Ritter, who won the quilt made by Bev Repsher; Nancy was so excited that she couldn't stop beaming with joy when she came to pick up her prize. Bobbie Stoddard won the cat afghan and pillow set, and Theresa Fliszar won the paw print throw.

Pet photos with Santa were a great deal of fun, as always.

Despite how busy the holidays are, so many people took time out to remember Animals In Distress with a donation, a nice card, or hours of volunteer effort. Nowhere is the holiday spirit more alive, and genuine, than at our shelter - not just at the holidays, but every day of the year. That's why it was so difficult to take down the decorations and put all of them away.

However, we did so because the holiday spriti lives in our hearts all year round, in every animal who is saved, in every person who is helped, and in every child who visits us and smiles with joy to realize how loved and well cared for are the pets at our Kennel of Hope.