Special to the Aroostook Republican
One thing that will happen soon is the effect the government bailout of Wall Street will have on our lifestyle. We will feel it deeply in our pocketbooks as well as in our hearts and minds. The newscasters say our worries will be as great as our parent’s worries were during the great depression. At CPR, we know that our expenses will increase drastically and our incoming funding will probably not nearly match the climbing expenses. We know we shall persevere.
Contributed photo
The Shelter Haven of Hope of Vero Beach, Fla., is greatly enriched by the volunteer efforts of Richard and Claudia (Blackstone) McClaine who help with the Vero Beach Shelter Thrift Store. Claudia, a native of Caribou and her husband, Dick, a native of Camden, volunteer in honor of the animals in Caribou Pet Rescue and as a gift to their sister, Norma Milton. Shown leaving after a four- hour shift of volunteer work, Dick is wearing a shirt from the former Stan’s of Madawaska Lake and Claudia wears her Caribou Pet Rescue T-shirt. Claudia volunteers in the housewares and book section of the thrift store and Dick is in charge of maintenance and repair of all items brought into the store. According to Claudia, “If we were living in Maine, we would be volunteering at CPR so we decided we would volunteer here in honor of my sister.” Volunteers are the heart of every non-profit. With the future financial crises, all non-profits will need more volunteer support. For information on how to volunteer at CPR, call 498-3800.
My mother was a great one for saying “Where there is a will, there is a way,” and she taught me to live that philosophy. It was this philosophy that started Caribou Pet Rescue in March of 2006. It hasn’t let us down. Many times, we have just needed to look a little harder, work a lot harder and we had to pray far more often and be thankful for the gifts that do continue to come in. We have had a great many blessings and the biggest blessing is having helped 1500 needful animals since our startup. This is amazing for just 2 1/2 years of operation!
One of the nicest gifts, I have had in the past year is the knowledge that my sister and her husband (Richard & Claudia McClaine in Sabastian, Fla.) volunteer at their local animal shelter in honor of the work we do here at Caribou Pet Rescue. This shelter has a huge thrift shop and is in constant need of volunteers. Claudia works in the book section. Her husband Richard (Dick), a great handyman, goes in several times a week to fix various items and electrical items for them. I love the idea that CPR has inspired a gift of love in Florida.
I strongly believe that if we work together, do our best to tighten our belts and still give what and when we are able, we will get through this scary future. We will not lose faith and we will remember that “Where there is a will, there is a way.”
Gifts to CPR given In Memory recently include: from Linda Baltzer and her brothers Jerry and David Crocket in memory of their mother, Albertine Crockett; In Memory of Ada Lou Waller from Bill and Karen Barker Jr.; In Memory of Agnes Mary Taggett McNeal from Everett and Norma Milton. Gifts were also received in honor of the marriage of Joshua and Cassie Turnbull from Bruce and Connie Sandstrom.
Memberships were from Nancy Holmquist, Pam and Casey Scheppele and family, Thomas and Sarah Riley. Other gifts came from Janet Schofield, Kenneth and Birdena Hensler, Frank Hurley, Advantage Payroll Services, Steven and Judith Marr, Walter Fournier, and Linda and Rodney Bourgoine. We are forever grateful for the kindness and love expressed for CPR animals by these helpful gifts. Thank you.
Upcoming events for the shelter include:
• We plan to host another microchip clinic in the very near future. Our cost per pet is only $15,
• Tent Sale: CPR has moved the tent sale to the Valley Flea Market located on the Access Highway across from the Crown Park Inn. The Valley Flea Market will run until next summer on every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p. m, and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. CPR has tables utilizing an honor system with a donation box available for purchases.
• Caribou Pet Rescue will be at the Caribou Arts and Crafts Show on Oct 18 and 19. We need donations of all types of crafts and also for home baked goods. Baked goods can be dropped off at the shelter the Friday afternoon before the fair. Please consider baking for our CPR animals. We also need extra people to staff our booth for 2 hour segments. Call 498-3800 if you are able to help us and leave a message for Paula DeMerchant.
• Returnable bottles continue to spay/neuter precious animals. The 88 Bennett Drive Redemption passes on your donation as well as your wonderful comments. We average at least $50 to $75 weekly with this fundraiser. Each $50 spays one cat. Thank you.
We are in great need of cat litter, kitten chow, and evaporated milk. We also need a couple of HP 110 ink cartridges for our photo printer.
Call 498-3800 for information or check out our pets at www.cariboupetrescue.petfinder.com Caribou Pet Rescue, 6 Richards Rd., PO Box 488, Caribou, ME 04736 Neuter and Spay – It’s the ONLY Way.
