Hello From HSSC !

Funny Money – No Laughing Matter: Everything has a price, and the Eva Burrell Animal Shelter is no exception. Money runs the shelter. Fortunately, effort and heart also run the shelter, but it’s more difficult to put a price tag on that. The support we receive on the part of the public is no small change. The creativity and generosity of our donors, patrons, friends and supporters never fail to amaze. If it were left to local governmental bodies in Schoolcraft County, the money allotted per stray animal would amount to 57 cents per resident – not even enough to buy a can of pet food let alone provide shelter and care. On an average in the state of Michigan, per capital allotment for animal shelters amounts to $1.21. And this is where our patrons shine. With their ingenuity, our annual budget reflects a $5.46 contribution per county resident! Shelter friends donate what they can afford. Of course, that varies with each individual and often we receive outright monetary contributions. However, just as frequently “funny money” arrives at the shelter from most unusual sources. For instance, one dear lady “tithes” the shelter 10% of her casino winnings. We wish her lots of luck! Another couple made a “donation for dishes.” A local home buyer wondered if the seller’s dinnerware was included in the sale. For a shelter donation, it was a done deal! Still others contribute “found money” - unexpected coins and bills found on the street, in an old purse, under sofa cushions, in a drawer, wherever – the sum of which is given to the animal shelter. Customers at an area gas station/party store leave that one or two cents change from a purchase for the shelter – which in a year totals anywhere from $80 - $100. Another business keeps a big glass donation jar with pictures of our shelter animals. When the jar is full from customer contributions, the establishment buys much needed supplies and donates them to the shelter. A mother and her daughter bet with each other and the loser pays the winner’s animal shelter the amount of the wager. A good-hearted soul sponsored a Halloween party to keep kids and pets safe on that bewitching eve and part of the admission fee was designated for this animal shelter. A local internet business pledged 1% of profits to the shelter while a downtown pet shop and artist sold ceiling tiles to be painted with pictures of customer’s pets. Rather than table favors, a young bride decorated the banquet tables at her wedding reception with containers for shelter donations. Birthdays and anniversaries are regularly “celebrated” at the shelter when gifts of donations are received to honor such occasions. Children especially touch our hearts with their tender generosity. Elementary students compete in penny wars at school. One child with an entrepreneurial spirit decorates a coffee can to collect donations from clients at her family’s business. Thoughtfully, she asked permission of the shelter and her parents prior to engaging in such a fundraiser. A few birthday boys and girls have requested money or shelter supplies from their young party guests instead of the usual birthday presents. All this in addition to the traditional and customary methods of fundraising. It boggles our minds sometimes and always brings smiles to our faces. Whatever the source, we greatly appreciate our patrons’ generosity. Perhaps paraphrasing a successful commercial can sum up our gratitude. Local government support –57 cents/resident Shelter revenue - $6.03/resident Cost of an adopted happy shelter animal – priceless!