Notes from Lydia Long, Coordinator.
Can you believe it? Only a little over a year ago, The Park People & Dog lovers went to the Parks & Recreation Board and asked for permission to start fund raising for a dog park. Incredibly, our Grand Opening was November 20th 2010, just a little over a year later.
Volunteers have come and gone during the past year, some helped with one event, others have stuck it out all year. But, together we all raised over $100,000 for Camp Barkeley, Abilene's First dog park. Volunteers have stuffed envelopes, baked cookies, made t shirts, made scarves, photos and begged everyone in town for donations. As a result we have over 300 donors to Camp Barkeley making the dog park a true community project.
And, not everyone donated cash. Many donated copies, gifts, raffle prizes, just plain discounted whatever they could, built our website, entered our donations into donor databases, made more cookies, made Pottery Dog Bones, buttons, donor letters and many calls. We had a PSA donated by Red3 Productions that KTAB & KRBC showed repeatedly. Every KTXS reporter must own a dog, they were out at every event. And, the Abilene Reporter News ran a Photo Contest during Dog Walk that resulted in several hundred dogs attending in spite of the drizzle.
Who can forget the Pet Parade led by the Abilene Pipers during "Dog's Night Out". And, "Dog's Day Out" at Rose Park with Walgreens donating photos and employees. Then, donating all they raised! The Dyess We Care Team raised over $2,000 washing cars in 100 degree heat. And, thank you to all the other non profits who invitied us out and allowed us to infringe on their fund raising!
Personally, I have learned a LOT about fund raising, non profits, volunteers and donors. And, I appreciate all the tips and guidance from friends and others. I also appreciate the volunteers who put up with my, WE ARE GOING TO SUCCEED, not IF attitude!
Saturday Oct. 9th, was "Who's in the Dog House?" A wonderful event in which the Builders in Abilene have stepped up and donated Custom Dog Houses for auction. Oct. 14th, we celebrated Howl o Ween for the Dogs! sponsored by Aaron's Rentals. Again, the community donating to Camp Barkeley.
Thank you to all the volunteers, donors, businesses, and Dogs in Abilene who allow me to "coordinate" this endeavor.
See you at Camp Barkeley!
Lydia M. Long, PhD.
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