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Gloucester, Va., (December 3, 2018) -- Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society (GMHS) celebrated its annual Holiday Open House Sunday, December 2, 2018. Approximately 200 GMHS supporters from the shelter's service region, which extends from the Peninsula to Northern Neck, enjoyed visiting with Santa Claus, creating holiday crafts and learning about GMHS' mission to improve the lives of all animals. GMHS staff fielded questions about homeless pets available for adoption and educated attendees about the shelter's mission and programs.
Coordinated by GMHS Volunteer Beverly Spencer, the event also included an Angel Tree. Tags with animals' gift requests were available for homeless pets from rabbits to cats and rats to dogs. The Angel Tree will remain up through the holidays. Tags may continue to be selected and gifts delivered during the shelter's business hours through the end of the year.
The Cookie Sale--a signature part of the event--proved successful yet again. A record-setting number of cookies were baked and donated by GMHS volunteers. Guests selected their own assortment of cookies, ranging from shortbread to chocolate chip brownies, which were packaged in a festive holiday box perfect for gift-giving. Proceeds from the cookie sale benefit the GMHS Angel Fund, which provides life-saving non-routine veterinary care for homeless pets.
“The GMHS volunteers are key to the success of our fundraising endeavors. They baked a truly impressive number of holiday treats, each unique and definitely tasty! A volunteer coordinated the event and most of the customer service during the event was provided by volunteers. Our volunteers are the true heroes of every event we throw and are the reason we can continue to support our community and its homeless pets with such passion and commitment," remarked Community Programs Manager Kristen Solada.
The event also included the sale of limited-edition Angel Scarves. Handcrafted by a GMHS volunteer, the scarves will continue to be available for purchase from the GMHS website until they sell out. One hundred perfect of sales will be donated to the GMHS Angel Fund.
New this year was the GMHS Miracle Wall, which is adorned with photos of homeless pets who have been with GMHS for 30-plus days. As a participant in Maddie's Fund Get 'Em Home Challenge, GMHS seeks to find forever homes before December 31, 2018, for all animals pictured on the Miracle Wall in the shelter lobby.
The day marked an occasion for members of the no-kill community to celebrate the giving spirit of the holiday season and the life-saving efforts of GMHS, and many attendees came bearing gifts of blankets, pet food and monetary donations.
GMHS Executive Director Nichola Redmond said, "The lives of homeless pets served by GMHS are transformed by our community's commitment. They make our work possible. Our open house was an opportunity celebrate that commitment, connect personally with community supporters and educate the public about how their heart for homeless pets and contributions to GMHS save lives."
About Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society
Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to “improving life for all animals by providing shelter, compassionate care, community assistance and education.” Founded in 1912 in Gloucester, Virginia, GMHS provides services for people in the Peninsula, Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck through adoptions, educational programs, a pet pantry and low-cost spay/neuter programs both onsite and throughout the community. GMHS is registered with the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services under federal tax ID#51-020623. Registration does not imply endorsement.
For more information, visit:
· GMHS on the web: http://www.gmhumanesociety.org/
· GMHS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gmhumanesociety
· GMHS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gmhumanesociety/
· GMHS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gmhumanesociety
CONTACT INFORMATION
communications@gmhumanesociety.org
Gloucester, Va., (December 17, 2018) -- The Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society was recently presented with a $15,000 donation from the Animal Care Society. The donation will benefit the Spay/Neuter Clinic located in White Marsh, Virginia, and be administered by GMHS.
The Animal Care Society's primary focus is promoting low-cost spay/neuter to reduce the number of homeless dogs and cats in the Middle Peninsula. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization operates a resale shop on Main Street in Mathews, Virginia, where merchandise donations from the community are sold to raise money for animal welfare.
Animal Care Society Treasurer Diana More says, "The lion's share of our earnings are given in support of the GMHS Spay/Neuter Clinic, but we also help many individuals locally on the Middle Peninsula with their pets' needs. We are able to give no interest small loans to aid in spaying and neutering their pets as well as providing shots. We also help with emergencies as much as we can."
Founded in 2008 with the goal of providing affordable and accessible spay/neuter services for all dogs and cats who need them, the Spay/Neuter Clinic has contributed to the no-kill community by spaying and neutering more than 35,000 cats and dogs; preventing the birth of hundreds of thousands of unwanted animals; and decreasing by more than 50 percent the number of homeless pets served by area shelters.
The Spay/Neuter Clinic is an integral component of GMHS' comprehensive life-saving roadmap, which includes expanded shelter hours, enabling the working public to reclaim and adopt animals; increased coverage of community events; and partnerships with adoption outlets.
GMHS Executive Director Nichola Redmond said, "GMHS is grateful for the support that Animal Care Society has provided for our Spay/Neuter Clinic. We respect that their volunteers work hard to convert donated goods to dollars at the Potpourri Shoppe in Mathews. Their labor makes a difference for the animals in our community and for the people who care about them. Spay/neuter is critical to prevent animal cruelty and suffering. Essentially it turns off the flow of homeless animals at the source, and that is certainly a wise and worthy investment."
GMHS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gmhumanesociety
On Saturday, January 26, animal lovers from throughout the region took to The Abingdon Ruritan Club for Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society's Mad Hatter Gala & Auction, the organization's premier fundraiser. As GMHS receives limited funding from local governments, the shelter and homeless pets whose lives they save depend largely on the event's success, and Saturday's event did not disappoint. In fact, it was GMHS' most successful auction to date.
As guests arrived, they were greeted by a stunning display of vines, ivy and flowers--evocative of the rabbit hole from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland”--and tables were adorned with whimsical Mad Hatter centerpieces, artfully crafted by Auction Committee Member Mike Ivey. Many guests fully embraced the event's Mad Hatter theme, donning their own take on the Mad Hatter's millinery, including Auction Committee Member Walt Evaniak and Cam Williams (left to right) who arrived dressed to impress.
As Auction Coordinator Joyce Richter describes the event, "Perhaps it was the magic of the 'rabbit hole' entrance created by a very talented decorating committee or the delectable food our guests encountered on reaching 'Wonderland,' but there was more electricity in the air at this gala than I’ve ever seen. GMHS supporters--many sporting Mad Hatter hats or fascinators--delighted in the array of auction items, and enthusiastically urged on the bidding during the live auction."
During the event, guests were treated to a fantastic array of passed and stationary hors d'oeuvres; a fabulous dinner spread, including beef tenderloin and vegetarian options; and a delicious assortment of desserts, ranging from cookies to miniature Key Lime pies.
Blacktie Benefit Auctions "Dream Team" of Lead Auctioneer Ernie Rogers and Lead Floor Auctioneer Dave Henderson generated excitement during the silent and live auction portions of the evening, motivating attendees to bid high in the name of saving homeless pets. Among some of the most sought after auction offerings were an eight-day, seven-night stay at The Buccaneer in St. Croix, USVI. Also in high demand were an American Chestnut bench handcrafted by GMHS Board of Directors Member Dr. Richard Crowder and a professional recording session at WXGM studios with Jay Hutchins, of Brent & Becky's Bulbs. In fact, these two offerings were so popular, Crowder and Hutchins agreed to offer an additional bend and recording session, respectively, to benefit GMHS.
After the auction concluded, Gloucester's own Good Shot Judy took to the stage. They inspired folks to make their way to the dance floor, where many remained until the evening wrapped up, and they played favorites from Frank Sinatra, Etta James and Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.
All proceeds from the event will benefit GMHS and be used to save the lives of homeless pets in the organization’s service region, which runs from the Northern Neck to the Peninsula. GMHS’ Platinum GuideStar rating and allocation of 12% of its budget for administrative and fundraising expenses afford supporters confidence in the organization’s stewardship of their contributions.
In the fall of 2000, a handful of local volunteers came together to establish the Gloucester Community Foundation as a regional affiliate of The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia. Fifteen years later, the results of their efforts are providing donors a vehicle through which their donations can stay in this community, providing much-needed support to make Gloucester a better place for all.
2014 was a year of incredible growth for the Foundation. Our assets grew by almost 60%, reaching $5.8 million at year-end!
With strong endowment management practices and local knowledge of the county, GCF’s goal is to make Gloucester a more vibrant community for all. Thank you for your support which helps us be responsive to the needs of so many non-profit organizations and government agencies. Together, we can help Gloucester reach its full potential.
View the full 2014 - 2015 Annual Report
The devastation of the 2017 hurricane season is far-reaching, with catastrophic flooding in Southeast Texas to battered towns across Florida. Lives and communities are forever changed. While rescue efforts and emergency response are underway, we know from past disasters that recovery efforts will span years.
If you would like to support response and recovery efforts, we have compiled a list of trusted partners who will put your resources to work in the areas that need it most.
Emergency response addresses immediate needs like food, water and medical care.
Recovery efforts not only address needs that emerge once news coverage wanes, such as safe drinking water and transitional shelter, but also long-term initiatives that address chronic social and environmental challenges.
Natural disasters often lead to independent or fraudulent fundraising efforts. Please do not hesitate to contact a member of our Philanthropic Services team at 804-330-7400 if you wish to discuss a particular donation or grant recommendation.
Learn about the Community Grantmaking Program
While current projections indicate the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula may avoid the worst of Hurricane Florence, we also know that the region is likely to experience significant rain and high winds. This may lead to additional flooding, downed trees and power lines, and personal property damage. Above all, we encourage all of our partners – individuals and organizations alike – to heed warnings, get prepared and place your personal safety as the highest priority.
State and local officials have declared states of emergency ahead of the storm’s arrival to boost preparedness efforts and to mobilize emergency managers and response teams so they can respond quickly once the impact of the storm is known. On a personal level, you are encouraged to make your own plans to ride out the storm.
For more details on steps you can take to be ready for Hurricane Florence or a future disaster, please visit www.vaemergency.gov or www.ready.gov.
Many people are compelled to help following a disaster. It is important to ensure that your time and resources are spent in response to actual needs and that they do not hinder response efforts.
How and where to donate:
As with most disasters, there are both immediate and long-term needs in affected communities. National early response and recovery organizations rely on donations to fuel their work and we will share information about what they are doing and how to help.
Similarly, we believe local community foundations are uniquely positioned to understand and identify the specific needs of their service areas, and they partner with trusted nonprofit partners to address and monitor longer-term response efforts over time.
Upon landfall, we will share more detail about efforts to address needs in our area. We will also collect information about response efforts in communities hardest hit by the storm and connect you with their community foundations.
Need more information?
We are here for you. Please call us if you have any questions and visit our website for future updates.