Pet provides collections could have began off shaky, however the group got here by means of for Sidney Bates’ For the Love of Pets drive ultimately, serving to the Harrison Township teen gather over $5,600 in money and items.
“I know that so many people have been struggling economically this year,” she stated. “There were also issues with supply chains, especially when it comes to pet supplies, which has made it much more difficult for people to donate or find items to contribute.”
Bates started this yr’s annual For the Love of Pets drive on Feb. 10, initially planning to shut the drive by Feb. 24. The drive advantages All About Animals in Warren, a nonprofit that provides pets for adoption, a entice, neuter, return program to help stray cats, and different veterinary companies corresponding to spaying and neutering. Bates, 14, set the purpose of accumulating over $4,000 in gadgets and donations.
Community donations had been accepted at native shops, the Harrison Township Library and All About Animals Warren location.
Bates’ mom, Gretchen Bates, stated the drive started slowly, and her daughter was initially involved as a result of frequent checks of donations bins confirmed low returns. Gretchen stated enterprise proprietor sponsors had been inspired to present the drive extra promotion, and their cooperation in sharing data resulted in elevated donations.
“We did see results,” Gretchen Bates stated. “People responded like crazy.”
Bates additionally chosen to increase the drive to March 14, on the request of her sponsor places.
“I chose to extend the drive because sponsors had indicated that more people were still interested in helping, but had not yet had time to purchase the items, or drop them off, etc. As well as I still had people who were dropping off more items, as they were still trickling in,” she stated.
To enhance donations, Sidney Bates additionally spent extra time championing her trigger throughout the college district she attends, L’Anse Creuse Public Schools with L’Anse Creuse High School in Harrison Township and the Fredrick V. Pankow Center in Clinton Township, together with Harrison Township colleges L’Anse Creuse Middle School Central and South River Elementary participating
“She worked harder at recruiting donations,” Gretchen Bates stated, including her daughter’s efforts included chatting with sponsors, social media campaigns, and dealing along with her highschool’s group service coordinator to encourage donations.
Mom and daughter dropped off donated gadgets to All About Animals in Warren on Feb. 26 and March 19, having not solely met the $4,000 unique purpose however exceeding it to gather a complete of things and financial donations of over $5,600. Since 2017, Sidney has raised donations valued at over $16,000 for animals.
“I think it was not just me that worked to overcome the obstacles of this year. I think the community really stood behind me and was willing to step up despite the hardships,” Sidney Bates stated. “I am also so thankful for my sponsors, who helped get communication out about the drive to overcome these challenges.”
Sidney plans to donate extra time to All About Animals this yr, and desires to seek out methods to increase the For the Love of Pets drive in 2023.
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