I have known for years that our South Pacific County Humane Society was 100% funded by our community, but it wasn’t until I got on the Board of Directors that I came to truly understand what that means. There are so many unsung heroes of our Shelter.
- It costs about $10,000 per MONTH to keep our doors open. That number simply takes my breath away every time I see it. And yet, every single month, the bills get paid because of the generosity of our community.
- We have less than 2 full-time employees. That’s one full-time and 4-6 folks who share the rest of 30-40 hours per week. All the rest of the work is done by volunteers. VOLUNTEERS!
- People walk in the front door every single day just to hand us $5 or $100 or $1,000. Many of these are sacrificing their own creature comforts to help a furry friend they’ve never met. Some are literally ‘doing without’ so that our animals can prosper. I’m incredibly moved by their generosity.
- Businesses and individuals throw benefit fundraisers for us. They plan, prepare, advertise, do all the work, and we find out about it when a check shows up with no strings attached.
- People put us in their wills and set up trusts. These donations allow us to sock away a few pennies here and there so that someday our Shelter won’t have to operate hand to mouth.
- We get checks in the mail almost every day. All those $5, $10, $25, $50 and $100 checks add up to keeping our doors open. They buy spays, neuters, food, medicine and veterinary care.
I’m heading to “the other Long Beach” in the morning for a family reunion. I really want to take a minute in this incredibly busy day to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you. You have taken time out of your busy lives to make sure the work continues and my personal gratitude goes out to you.
Thank you!
Keleigh
Keleigh Schwartz
SPCHS President 2008-2010
