Volunteers
help
make a difference
Getting message
out one dog at a time
"It’s
nothing but positive. The kids enjoyed the day and it was our first time
connecting with other groups."
—
TERRY TISCHER, Animal
Shelter of the Wood River Valley board member
By DANA
DUGAN
Express Staff Writer
The 12th
Annual "Make a Difference Day," held in October around the
nation, had a presence in Ketchum recently. A coalition of the Education
Committee of the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley, the Blaine
County Teen Advisory Council and the Environmental Resource Center made
a difference focusing on "helping others and the animals we live
with," Terry Tischer said.
During
the Make A Difference Day program in Ketchum recently, Tim Garza, 17
of Bellevue and Andrew Stark, 17, of Elkhorn, teen volunteers dressed in
dog costumes, and Dana Christensen, 14, of Hailey pet Mabel a Wood River
Animal Shelter pooch available for adoption. Express photo by David
N. Seelig
Tischer,
Jennifer Younger and Mary Gervase, who joined the board of the shelter
this fall, have started the Education Committee of the Animal Shelter.
Gervase is the assistant superintendent of the Blaine County School
District.
"We
thought we can make a difference by educating the youth. We wanted to
connect with the kids. Then Mary Gervase met with the Teen Advisory
Committee and they suggested we do something for ‘Make a Difference a
Day,’" Tischer said.
After the
TAC toured the shelter, the valley’s AmeriCorps Volunteers also joined
the project. These volunteers are required to do a project each year for
"Make a Difference Day."
Two of
the AmeriCorps volunteers, Janelle Grider and Joe Brown, are with St.
Luke’s Center for Community Health. Tanya Knight is with Head Start.
Vanessa Crossgrove, who is with the Environmental Resource Center,
registered the event as an official "Make A Difference Day"
program. Everyone who participates in this day is eligible for an award
and the opportunity to specify a charitable cause that will receive a
$10,000 donation. Sponsored by USA Weekend magazine and in partnership
with the Points of Light Foundation, "Make A Difference Day"
supporter Paul Newman donates 100 percent of the after-tax income from
Newman's Own products to educational and charitable causes.
"Our
environmental angle was the problem with people not picking up dog
waste," Crossgrove said. "There are lots of bacteria and
parasites, which can cause health issues. And it can seep into the
ground water, which is our drinking water."
They
suggested that people always take some kind of bag with them on hikes
and walks to collect and remove dog waste. The ERC handed out
biodegradable dog bags and brochures on pet waste disposal.
The event
took place on the grassy knoll next to Irving’s Red-Hots in Ketchum.
Hurley Hamilton, owner of Thunderpaws Express, donated prizes as did
Atkinsons’ Market, Bigwood Bread, Jane’s Paper Place and Williams
Market.
"I
loved that we were working with other non-profits, instead of with our
blinders on," Tischer said. "And we got the teens involved.
The idea to work together is part of our outreach program from the newly
formed Education Committee of the Animal Shelter. We want to become more
visible in the community, to cross-over and join with other non-profits
in a community effort."
This was
the committee’s second public endeavor, she said. The first was this
past summer at the Sun Valley Center Arts & Crafts Festival.
"Our goal is to stress that dogs should be spayed and neutered, and
that adopting a pet is adding a family member and not a toy for the
moment."
Tischer
added, "The U.S. Humane Society said, only eight out of every 100
dogs will stay in a single home for their entire lives."
Several
shelter dogs available to adopt were walked by teens, some of whom were
dressed in dog outfits. Among the other activities were face painting,
the hands-on art project "Make-a-Mutt," informational tables
on the ERC and the Animal Shelter, training information, free dog
registration and volunteer information.
Crossgrove,
who helped coordinate the event, said," It was definitely a
collaborative event."
Hamilton
agreed. "It was a really good thing to have a cross awareness
between various groups. It’s fun to do those things. And you’re
helping when you do it."
Thunderpaws
also hosted "Santa Paws" last weekend. Professional Christmas
card photos of pets were sold to support the Animal Shelter.
"It’s
nothing but positive. The kids enjoyed the day and it was our first time
connecting with other groups," Tischer said.