‘Friends Group’ volunteers needed
‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane Society
By Gail Wieder
Board Member
Mark your calendar: The Friends Group is planning a car wash Saturday, July 26 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Dead River Co., located at 580 Main St. in Presque Isle. We hope to see a lot of people there.
In 2010, the Central Aroostook Humane Society started a group called “Friends of CAHS,” volunteers who help the board members with all of their fund-raising projects. Over the last couple of years, our numbers have dwindled down to just a few “involved” volunteers, and I would like to change that because this group of friends is a big part of the animal shelter and our fund-raising efforts.
The “Friends” meet quarterly; that is only four meetings a year, usually at the Presque Isle Library from 6-6:30 p.m. A board member, in this case me, heads up the group. We discuss shelter issues and fund-raising projects. We, as board members, rely on the Friends group to help in our fundraising throughout the year.
Some of our fund-raising efforts include craft fairs, usually a board member and a friend sit at the table in two-hour increments taking donations, selling T-shirts and merchandise, and also listen to the many happy-ending stories that people want to share of their pets.
The Paws for the Cause in May is one of our bigger fundraisers. We ask our “Friend” volunteers to help set up, fill water dishes, help with the refreshment table and take photos … whatever is involved in helping to make the event a fun and successful one. We sometimes have adoption fairs at Tractor Supply for several hours on a Saturday. We run special rates or sometimes waive the adoption fee, just so the animals have a better chance of finding that forever home. Our biggest fundraiser is in November, Toast to the Animals. We are always in need of extra hands for this event.
This is a sample of some of the things we do! If you have some spare time and love animals, please think of joining “The Friends of CAHS.” We would love to welcome new members. If you are interested, email me at gail.wieder@yahoo.com.
High school teens: this would be a chance to get some of your community service in for your high school credit. Also younger teens are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult if under age 16.
I truly appreciate the volunteers who came to our Friends meeting last week! The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 9, and I will let everyone know in advance.
You can always volunteer at the shelter, too, by walking the dogs or socializing the cats. There is always plenty to do. Come in, talk to the staff and they will find a job to your liking. Our hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed 12-12:30 p.m. for lunch). Remember to be a responsible pet owner and spay and neuter your pets!
