Phone Lines are Now Open!! The 2012 IBKC FUNdraiser Has Begun!!

 On Saturday, July 21st, we'll be participating in Dog-A-Thon, our Humane Society's walk for homeless pets. For those of you who are new to the blog, it's a really exciting time of year at the IBKC, and we all work very hard to raise money for this event to support our shelter.

 It really is a whole lot of fun - there's lots of extra pictures and extra posts.  You'll see the whole IBKC community rise to support our shelter.  It will make your heart  feel happy.  You'll witness lots of very kind and generous people in action.  You'll cry happy tears, and in the end, we will have raised squillions of dollars to help homeless cats and kittens.   It's magical.

 The first year we participated in the event, we started off with a modest goal of $3000. By the time we were done, we raised $23,000.  Our minds were blown.   The next year, we upped our goal to $40,000, met that goal with our online donations and when we added in the money collected from our other team members, friends, family, and auctions we had raised over $48,000 for the shelter! Year three we  raised the bar again and set our goal at $50,000.  By the time we were done, we had raised a remarkable  $66,000!

With the funds raised last year by the IBKC, the shelter was able to build the “Petunia Louise Community Cat Room,” a ten by eight foot glass-walled enclosure with climbing trees, privacy boxes, and lots of soft places to sleep. Showcasing the cats in a more home-like setting is proving to be very attractive to adopters, and the kitties don’t usually stay long!  Later, I'll be sharing a little bit more about the room and post some pictures too.

This year, we are raising the bar once again and have set our goal at $75,000.  Did I just say that out loud?  Yes, $75,000.   But I know we can do it.

All of the money raised by the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee Team will go directly to the cats and kittens. Every single penny of it. It will help fund the foster program and in-house and off-site adoption programs. It will help make shelter improvements for the cats. It will buy cats cozy little fleece beds. It will help reduce the cost of spay and neuter surgeries for pets of lower income families. It will feed and provide medical care for tiny kittens, adult and senior cats.

It will also help fund a brand new program at the shelter designed specifically to help elderly pet owners on fixed incomes, who can’t afford to feed their beloved companions. The majority of these seniors own cats, and don’t have transportation. They are planning to add a delivery program to bring cat food to these seniors in need. This helps keep cats in loving homes where they belong, and out of the shelter.

Just like previous years, we'll be auctioning off the naming rights to a litter of kittens.  Our new litter just arrived, and as soon as we get everyone introduced, we will begin those auctions.  It's always exciting to follow these auctions and even more exciting to find out the names selected by the winning bidders.

You can win a chance to name a kitten too.  Every time you make a donation, your name will be entered into a raffle, and one lucky donor will get to name an Itty Bitty Kitty from an up-coming litter!  There will be a few other give-aways too, which we'll announce later.

Of course we'll also be auctioning off another "Tea with The Bean",  your opportunity to have lunch with Charlene and kittens.   The tea has been a huge success the past two years, so we have to do it again!

Last year we did a huge art auction, and auctioned off several pieces by the many artistic folks in the community.  Although it was a whole lot of fun, it was just too much work to do while running this gigantic fundraiser too.    We will do it again, but not at the same time as Dog-A-Thon.    Instead, I've hatched another plan to bring you all some art.

We've been working with an awesome local artist,  Boo Davis,  to create a beautiful kitty-themed, limited edition silkscreen print which will be for sale in the IBKC shop.  All of the profits from the sale of the print will go right to our fundraising campaign.  

I know last year, our art auction prices went sky-high, so many of you missed out on purchasing a piece.  I thought this would be a good way to bring art to the masses while being kind to your pocketbook.   I'll have more details on the print soon.  We're still working out the details on it now.  But I know you'll love it.  Boo's work is outstanding!

 Just you wait, my friends! I've got so much planned for the next month. There are going to be LOTS of fun surprises, lots of extra pictures and posts, and I think this is going to be the best Dog-A-Thon yet!!!   I know, I say that every year, but it really does get better each time!



The telethon set is complete,  and our first round of phone bank operators have arrived.  OH MY they are an adorable little group.   Seriously, you all are going to FLIP when you meet them all.  There are five total, and each is unique and equally adorable.    This sweet little orangey on set is a boy.  He's just getting warmed up, but he's bright, and I'm sure he'll master the phones soon!

 
These little kittens we've fostered for the shelter have given so much to us. Think of all the times their lovely little faces have brightened your day, and made you feel better.   Let's honor these kitties by supporting the organization that gave them their start in life, The Humane Society for Tacoma/ Pierce County.

 To help us reach our goal, and  make a tax-deductible donation, please pay a visit to the  IBKC FirstGiving webpage by clicking HERE.

 Thank you, friends. I can hardly wait to see how this unfolds!!! And I can hardly wait to see the difference we'll make in the lives of our precious shelter cats and kittens.

Thirty-one days, $75 Squillion!  WE CAN DO IT!

 Thank you !  XOXOXOXO

 

PS I know that not everyone is in a position to make a financial donation, but you can always help by spreading the word!   That's free and very powerful!

xoxo