SHARE
News
Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic supporters enjoyed a “Summer Social” generously hosted by Chesapeake Bank & Chesapeake Wealth Management on June 14th. It was a wonderful evening including food, beverages, and tours of the Clinic. Guests included Michael Winebarger of the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors, Amy Dubois of the Mathews County Board of Supervisors, and many Clinic supporters and friends. Chesapeake Bank Executive Vice President/Retail Dianne Hall welcomed the attendees and acknowledged the good work of the Clinic. Clinic Board President Louise Theberge and Executive Director Arlene Armentor thanked Chesapeake Bank & Chesapeake Wealth Management for their outstanding community partnership, all donors for their support, and gave an overview of Clinic activities.
Members of the Chesapeake Bank & Chesapeake Wealth Management team take time out to celebrate the Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic. Pictured (L-R) Reggie Connaughton, Felicia Stovall, Ann Stingel, Stephanie Beach, Kasey Milby, and Steve Callis.
Clinic Board member Nancy Dykeman gives a tour of the Clinic to Gary & Karen Ward.
***Please note – all photo credits to Reggie Connaughton***
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."
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
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.
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."
· GMHS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gmhumanesociety
CONTACT INFORMATION
communications@gmhumanesociety.org
Learn about the Community Grantmaking Program
The staff & Board of the Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic took time out on June 5th to thank the Clinic’s many volunteers for their service at the organization’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic. Each volunteer received a “Volunteers Are the Heart of our Team” pin, and volunteers who have given twenty years of service were recognized. Director of Volunteer Resources Jayme Sweten and Board President Louise Theberge also honored those volunteer physicians who have retired or moved away from the Clinic. Finally, Sweten and Theberge honored the late Dr. John Quarles for 10 years of volunteer service to the Clinic, and presented a beautiful framed remembrance which will hang in the Clinic in his honor.
Quarles photo: Betty Quarles and her daughters attended and were honored with a remembrance of Dr. John Quarles’ volunteer service. Pictured (L-R): Lorie Jones, Mrs. Betty Quarles, Louise Theberge (GMCC Board President), Jeanne Brooks and Margie Stinson.
20 year volunteers photo: Eight volunteers who have given 20 years of service to the Clinic received a special commemorative pin from Board President Louise Theberge. Pictured (L-R) Dr. Peter Zullo, Board President Louise Theberge, Lou Taylor and granddaughter Ella, and Ann Quinn. (Not pictured: Dr. Richard Crowder, Dr. Robert Davis, Cindy Dorsey, Dr. Wayne Reynolds, and Pat Zima)
Retiring physicians photo: The Clinic honored four volunteer physicians who have retired or moved from the area. Pictured (L-R): Dr. David Kemp, Dr. Hawes Campbell and Dr. Howard MacLennan (Not pictured: Dr. Donald Tschan)
***Please note – all photo credits to Linda Tjossem***
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