Doggie Foodraiser Final Total: 11,528 lbs. and a Thousand Thank Yous!

If there is one thing I’ve learned in this wonderful adventure we call life, it is that we can’t accomplish very much on our own.  We need help and the bigger the goal, the more help we need.  It’s fun to be a part of something where people are pulling together for a common goal.  But more importantly, there’s meaning and relevance when people come together for a cause.  It binds people together and we can be aware of just how insignificant we are alone but how powerful we are as people.

So what started out as a small gathering and a labor of love became a campaign to raise 10,000 pounds of dog food.  We exceeded our goal, our dreams, our expectations.

We reached a total of 11,528 pounds of dog food raised in our campaign to help the pet outreach program at Spay & Neuter Kansas City.  The food pantry has never looked so full!  I would like to take some tome to thank some folks, without which, we never would have even come close to reaching our goal.

Reed Porter and Vince Thompson of Social Media Club of Kansas City coined the phrase “Sack for a Sack.”  That effort allowed us to be covered by local news organizations including TV and the Kansas City Star.

Renee Robinson of Nicholson Kovac spearheaded our Public Relations campaign.  She came into a fairly chaotic beginning and provided some much needed organization around the Sack for a Sack event.  Also, Hollie Siegel was a wonderful resource as we began planning the campaign.  She helped us with ideas around our victory celebration.  The Chili Cook-off was her brain-child.  These two people exemplify what it means to be Passionate Professional People of Integrity.

Our wonderful sponsors included the Kansas City Chiefs, McFaddens, Brookside Barkery and Bath, Team Tugs, Pampered Paws, Pete and Mac’s, Lill’s, Lews and of course Brother’s Pets.  I’ve mentioned Brother’s Pets before but there is no better deal in the city for 50 pounds of dog food and they discounted their price even more for this effort. They also allowed their store to be used as a drop-off place for donations and donated 500 pounds of dog food out of their own supply.  They are an institution in this city and their help was invaluable to this campaign.

Because of our great sponsors, the following donors recieved the following prizes:

Reed Porter – Autographed & framed photo of Dwayne Bowe courtesy of the Kansas City Chiefs

Mari Dahm – Gift basket from Brookside Barkery and Bath

Spyder – Gift basket from Pampered Paws

Alicia Alhvers – Gift certificate for a cat condo stay at Pete and Mac’s

Leo Scharfenkamp – Gift certificate to Pete and Mac’s for one day of day care

Bonnie – two 25 dollar gift certificates to Lew’s Grill and Bar

I do want to recognize our two biggest individual donators.  First off, Mari Dahm raised over a thousand pounds of dog food.  She campaigned at grocery stores to raise the dog food and has worked with SNKC for years.  Secondly, we had “Team BSG” which raised 1750 pounds and counting.  This group includes people who met via twitter and enjoy each others company, including playing Battlestar Galactica The Board Game which is about as much fun as one can have when you aren’t out helping others.  This group was organized and spearheaded by Alicia Ahlvers, but includes Michael Burns, Celeste Lindell, Brent Huscher, Hollie Siegel, Tara Litzenberger, Jeff Smith, and Spyder.

Next, I would like to thank my partner in this journey we call “Volunteams,” Linda Shindelar.  She grounded the vision and helped organize the Chili-cook off.  She helped keep focus not just on how many pounds of dog food were raised but how everyone was being helped, from SNKC, to the animals, to those who donated.  Volunteams became a real organization thanks to her leadership and determination.

Lastly, I would like to thank Spay & Neuter Kansas City.  They do real-life miracles every day that the world never hears about.  Their mission is to end euthanization and to keep animals out of shelters.  Providing dog food to families in need is just part of the amazing work they do.  I’m so proud to call them our first flagship partner.

11,528 pounds is a small symbol of what we can accomplish together.  Planning for next year begins today.  We’ve got a lot of work to do.