August 2019 - The New Hampshire Humane Society in Laconia has many generous donors. Some donate money; some bring in cat and dog food and supplies, or have needed items delivered to the shelter; some generously give their time and talents as volunteers. Still others come up with creative ways to give—and this summer the Humane Society is celebrating two such donors.
Bob and Beverly Glendening, of Laconia, who are long-time donors to NHHS, came up with a creative and generous way to raise funds for the shelter. Bob was about to go on a cross-country “barn-storming” flight visiting Civil War sites, National Parks, and the USAF “boneyard” in Tucson, AZ, with his friend and pilot, Bruce Brandon, in his Twin Comanche aircraft. Bob wanted to support the homeless pets he has cared so much about since he was a child, while also honoring a dear friend, “Smokey” Jabonek, another veteran and long-time dog-lover and rescuer. He reached out to NHHS Director of Development Brooke Pearsall and shared his idea to solicit his friends and family to make donations to the shelter in honor of Smokey, and he and Beverly pledged to match every gift.
“Bob did an amazing job encouraging his friends and family to give to this great cause in honor of Smokey. He kept us all inspired and entertained with his daily emails and photos of their cross-country adventure, and kept on soliciting gifts till the very end!” shared Brooke. The so-called JAMBO Fund (Jabonek, Animal, Memorial, Barnstorming, Operation) inspired 23 people to make donations, and with the match from Bob and Beverly, the shelter received an incredible $5,113!
Another special friend stepped up for animals this June. Caroline Kenney, a student at Plymouth Elementary, was encouraged by her third-grade teacher Sarah Carlson, to undertake a year-end project. Caroline jumped in with both feet, and came up with the idea to organize a raffle to benefit the animals at the shelter. She solicited and received generous donations from local businesses, including: Café Monte Alto, 1766 Brewing Co., Peppercorn Natural Foods, M&M Scoops, Live Free and Dine, White Mountain College for Pets, Plymouth Ski and Sports, Plymouth Pet and Aquarium, Wakewood Farm, and Robin Henderson Peters; and then sold raffle tickets at Plymouth Elementary’s two Academic Fairs in June. Caroline turned out to be quite the salesperson, and raised $370 in just a few hours! She then used the money to purchase items from the Shelter’s Amazon wish list, and delivered them with her mom, Heather, and her inspirational teacher, Ms. Carlson. Caroline displayed a deep passion for animals, strong work ethic, maturity and kindness throughout her project; and the animals at the shelter are better off because of her efforts.
If you would like to learn more about the New Hampshire Humane Society’s mission, see what animals are available for adoption, make a donation, or learn more about the shelter’s programs and volunteer opportunities, please visit www.nhhumane.org.