Enjoy your holiday season, snuggle up to the fireplace, and hug your dog.

Transcription

1 A registered non-profit 501 (c)(3) charitable organization Published monthly by Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies wanted to stop and take this moment to say thank you to all who support our dogs. Whether you re volunteering at an event, walking the dogs, or donating when you are able, it all helps our dogs. Isn t that what it s about? It s why 90% of donations go to program support of the dogs. A perfect example of how your generosity directly helps the pups in need is Champ, a GRRR Golden Angel dog. Champ is a sweetie who was hit by a car and suffers from a broken Scapula (a bone around the shoulder area). The problem is that the break is in such a thin part of the bone that it has to be repaired by the body s own tendons, muscle, and scar tissue, which requires a long period of inactivity, or he will lose his leg. He is scheduled for a CT scan to examine other possible areas of concern. We do everything we can to help dogs like Champ recover and go to a loving forever home, and we ve had so many successes. As humans we get hung up on little things sometimes, but at the end of the day you can see the difference your involvement makes in the lives of the GRRR dogs. I am very fortunate to see the dogs as they come in, get transformed, and go to a new home. There is nothing like seeing the excitement and joy on everyone s face, including the dog, when a person or family adopts a dog. It ll be the best part of life for that pup. So, with Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror and the Christmas holiday in sight, I take huge pleasure in thinking about all the happy dogs and complete families your involvement has made possible. You are making a difference. Enjoy your holiday season, snuggle up to the fireplace, and hug your dog.

2 eet Champ, our newest Golden Angel. We are still assessing some unknowns about him right now. What we do know is that he suffered some kind of severe trauma as a pup (hit by a car, abused?). He was picked up by an out-of-state shelter who took him to a vet. After three weeks they said they couldn t find anything wrong with him and said he was a little aggressive. When we got him and took him to Arvada West, it took less than five minutes for Dr. Carpenter to tell us he had a broken scapula (a bone near the shoulder). Turns out the little aggressive was because he s been in pain. The place where the scapula is broken is too thin to support surgery, so he needs several weeks of quiet time to see if the tissue and cartilage will grow around it to provide support. He is also scheduled for a CT scan to explore some internal issue that may turn out to be cancer. We also have another new Golden Angel dog named Kacey. This little boy is about 8 months old and has a heart condition. He was placed with a rescue volunteer that we work with in North Dakota who has also helped us with transport. More to come on this little man as we learn more about him. Stay tuned, and as always thanks for supporting these sweet dogs in need. id you get up at 5:00 a.m. on November 21st to catch GRRR on channel 9? What s that you say, you slept in? Here is a link you can type into the browser on your computer to see the four segments that feature GRRR as a participant on Colorado Gives Day, coming up on December 9th. It was fun, except for the getting up at 3:30 a.m. part. We received wonderful exposure from Greg Moss and all the news people at the TV station who were gushing all over the dogs. Our featured furry stars were Bentley, Lucas, Champ, and the two 10-week-old puppies that had just come in (sorry, already adopted). Special thanks to Bill, Sukie, Jim, Carole, Mary and Linda Pierrel who were all there very early. We also have another Colorado Gives Day GRRR article slated to run in the Arvada Press in this week s paper (week of December 1st). Be sure to check that out as well. Please check out GRRRs participation in Colorado Gives Day. You can go to our website home page, and click on the Gives Day banner. This year, 1st Bank and Community First Foundation ponied up $1 million to match funds. From our site you can donate, schedule a donation for the match on December 9th, and even go to the Colorado Gives site and check out our profile. What a great opportunity to help the dogs and get a match on your donation.

3 Volunteer Opportunities! Volunteers are the fuel that keeps GRRR chugging. So many of you do so much for our Golden friends, making their lives much richer. And periodically folks like to change it up, trying new things, or just taking a break. We have a few open positions that we ve tried to describe thoroughly, so you ll have an idea if one of them might be something you d like to try. Please take a look and let us know if you re interested, have questions, or maybe just want to participate, but not be the leader of the committee. For questions or to express interest, please Kevin Shipley at: Kevin.Shipley@goldenrescue.com. We hope you ll find a match. Fundraising Committee Chair Title: Fundraising Committee Chair Reports to: President Role: To lead Fundraising Committee, oversee development of GRRR s annual fundraising plan, and provide advice and support on its implementation Term: 2 years Time Expectations: Varies by season, from 2 hours per week ongoing, to 15 hours per week during implementation of larger events and/or activities Responsibilities: Chair Fundraising Committee and report to Board Assure members of Committee are heard and input is considered Assure fundraising activities focus on positive return on time and money. Coordinate with Executive Director, Committee, Board, volunteers and vendors, as appropriate. With Executive Director and Committee, develop annual fundraising plan Communicate with appropriate parties to enable effective implementation Be primary interface with Board Regularly review plan status and communicate needed adjustments Advise organization on ways to improve fundraising outcomes Manage fundraising expenses proactively and consistently, interacting with Executive Director, Treasurer and bookkeeper regarding reporting. Skills: Understand major components of fundraising events, major donor programs, communication, etc. Understand return on time and money Understand dynamics of working with volunteers Gala Committee Volunteers Let the artist in you be free. Join the gala committee and pick from a variety roles, including; decorating committee, live and silent auction item committee (not collecting, just tracking and organizing them), set up or breakdown committee etc., lots of fun ways to serve our dogs.

4 his November we held another informative training session with Carole McMurry. Our next one will be in February, and I'll let everyone know when that session is scheduled. Bill and I want to thank each and every one of the VIP team for all the time they have spent with the dogs this year. Thanks to you, the dogs get out every day and get to spend some quality one-on-one time with a caring human. You make a positive difference in their lives. I am fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful organization. Happy Holidays and thank you. n November 1st, Chuck & Don's Pet Store in Castle Rock had their Grand Opening. We were fortunate to be part of it. We handed out a lot of pamphlets and received some cash donations. The store was packed with people all day. They had prize drawings, bobbing for hot dogs, paw print painting, and some dog treat samples. We also met the president of the company. ~ Jim, Jake (cool dog) & Judy Decker Support GRRR by shopping at Amazon! GRRR is pleased to be a participating charity with the Amazon Smiles program. Shop at AmazonSmile.com (part of Amazon), and 0.5% of eligible purchases are donated to GRRR! On your first visit, you select GRRR as your charitable organization before you start shopping (just type in our name and hit Search). Every little bit helps... thanks!

5 You re Invited! GRRR Holiday Volunteer Appreciation Party Sunday, December 7 from 11:30am 2pm NEW LOCATION: Apex Center, W 72nd Ave, Arvada, CO Please join us in celebrating the holidays with food & cheer, and fellow volunteers! GRRR will supply the ham and drinks. Please bring appetizer/side dish/dessert for potluck (if in doubt, bring a side dish). Spouse/friend welcome but sorry, no dogs. Attire: holiday/doggie/casual. No need to RSVP. Christmas for our Dogs! In lieu of a human gift exchange, we are asking you to bring an item for Christmas for our Dogs staying at Phoebe s Place and in foster homes. Please see the Wish List and bring something if you can. Thank you. Come join us - it s fun! Thanks for Volunteering and have a Golden Holiday!

6 ear GRRR volunteers, As the 2014 Colorado Gives Day approaches, I d like to personally explain to all our wonderful volunteers the importance of this annual event. This is the 5th year for Colorado s largest online philanthropy event, and GRRR s 3rd year of participation. Simply put, Colorado Gives Day December 9th this year is one of the largest components of our fundraising plan. In year one we were shocked to receive donations of $25,000, and humbled in year two to raise $30,000, even on the heels of our overwhelmingly successful flood-relief campaign. I m often asked why with our beautiful Phoebe s Place, our loyal volunteers, and these successes we continue to need to put so much emphasis on fundraising. The reality is that our costs continue to climb. Let me list just a few: To manage such a large operation efficiently, we felt the need to add an executive director this year. We could no longer operate solely with volunteers. In addition to flood repairs, we have had the continuing costs of renovating the property to make it as good as it can be for our Goldens. We had many extraordinary veterinary costs, including multiple ACL and hip surgeries and rising prescription costs. And this is definitely an area in which we want to continue to provide the best possible care. We are always looking for ways to improve our efficiency and to make the things we do as cost-effective as possible. In fact, our board of directors spends time every month analyzing our operations to find ways to do it better. In closing, I want to thank you for all that you do to help our Goldens in transition to their forever homes. We wouldn t be GRRR without you. And yes, I d like to ask you to donate what you can. Early giving begins November 1, and will be credited to Colorado Gives Day if earmarked for it. Just go to Coloradogives.org or our GRRR website, goldenrescue.com/index.php. It s easy, safe, and so very important! Sincerely, Judi Servoss President

7 Bite GRRR Peebody Dog Training Teaching you to teach your dog Carole McMurry 720/ Jeri Andrews Katie Bearup Jessica Broerman Mary Ann Byrd Cindy Collett Melissa Drzewiecki Cheryl Macosko Kristy McFerrin Jordan Montoya Betty Radel David Randolph Janet Ross Mary Salman Namoos & Aazib Siddique Rhonda Sievers Susie Tansy Nicole Winborne Event Coordinator Pat Rogers: pat.rogers@goldenrescue.com Animal Care Mary Kenton: mary.kenton@goldenrescue.com Golden Growl Quarterly Newsletter Debbie Davis: debbie.davis@goldenrescue.com Volunteer Newsletter Leigh Gannan: leighlumse@yahoo.com Adoption Follow-up Mary Fishback: mfischbeck@outdrs.net Placement Darla Henderson: darla.henderson@goldenrescue.com Transport Coordinator Ron Sommer: ron.sommer@goldenrescue.com Application Advocate Gloria LeFree: gloria.lefree@goldenrescue.com Team Leaders Grant Writing Judi Servoss: judi.servoses@goldenrescue.com Volunteer Coordinator Margi Corpron: margi.corpron@goldenrescue.com VIP - Volunteer Interaction Program Coordinator Sukie McMaster: sukie.mcmaster@goldenrescue.com Executive Director Kevin Shipley: Kevin.shipley@goldenrescue.com