A Community Foundation Grant Helps Local Animals Get a Second Chance

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Dateline: Philanthropy
News from your community foundation

January 2010 - Vol 1, Issue 1

In This Issue

The Human Community

CF Grant Helps Some of Our "Best Friends"

Greetings!

Like many of you, we at The Community Foundation are striving to be environmentally responsible. We decided to create this e-newsletter to keep you apprised of our work here in Herkimer and Oneida counties without adding to your stack of papers designated "to read." It is our hope that you will find this letter to be a refreshing oasis in the midst of your daily activities and that you will be pleased to learn about the positive impact your involvement with The Foundation is having in the community...our two-county area and beyond.

This month's disaster in Haiti demonstrates the need for philanthropy in our world. Because millions of people around the world made gifts to help relief efforts, food, medicine and rescue are making their way to our devastated brothers and sisters there. While we cannot change what happened, we have changed what could have been. Imagine what it would be like if no search and rescue parties could go to Haiti because their group could not afford the associated expenses. Imagine what it would be like if no food, medical supplies, workers and doctors made it to Haiti because of cost. The work in Haiti has just begun, and we will continue to help in any way we can. After all, in 2010, our community is global.

Our work for and in the community - local and afar - fills us with optimism, and we hope that these periodic updates will cause you to feel the same.

Peggy O'Shea

President & CEO

The Human Community

Haiti flag, courtesy of erjkprunczyk on Flickr

The recent earthquakes in Haiti and resulting international relief effort remind us that we are all part of the human community. Thus far, Community Foundation donor-advisors have made grants from their funds to Haiti relief organizations. Many individuals who comprise The Community Foundation family have also made individual gifts. Be it $5 or $500,000, a gift to help our neighbors in Haiti is a gift to humanity.

Community Foundation Grant Goes to Dogs (and Cats)!

In 2009, The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties helped the Herkimer County Humane Society fulfill a longtime dream.

Humane Society board president Ed View submitted a grant application to The Foundation so that they could construct a new, open room for cats, as well as new outdoor runs for the dogs and install kennel doors to replace old rusted ones.

In the proposal, View explained that the expanded cat room would lessen the stress on the felines and allow them to freely socialize with people and other cats. This socialization would make them more likely to be quickly adopted into good homes. Likewise, the outdoor dog runs would allow the canines to exercise and enjoy fresh air. By simply allowing the dogs to be dogs in these runs, they would be happier and less stressed, making them better candidates for adoption. The shiny new kennel doors would also make visitors more likely to approach the dogs behind them.

After reviewing the application, the Grants Committee approved an award of $19,112 for the project, which, aside from some remaining cosmetic details, was completed late last year.

Now, visitors are greeted by the sight of content cats relaxing in windows before they even get into the building! Once inside, they are greeted by a welcoming committee of purring cats. Potential dog adopters now have the opportunity to go into a run with a dog to play and get acquainted. The shelter currently has approximately 60 cats and 30 dogs whose chances of finding permanent homes has increased thanks to Community Foundation support of this project.

German Shepherd awaits adoption

What's Your Dream?

We all have dreams for our community, and The Community Foundation is here to help make them possible.

Is a fund right for you? Perhaps you would prefer to make a planned gift or bequest. Let the staff of The Community Foundation help you direct your philanthropy.

Please call Peggy O'Shea or Elayne Johnson at 315-735-8212, or email info@foundationhoc.org to learn more about what we can do for you.