Spring Break
Humane Society seeks to solve donation slump with auction
COURTNEY SMITH
Issue date: 3/19/09 Section: Out & About
Overcoming the obstacles of a failing economy, lost committee members and donation reluctance, the Athens Area Humane Society is still fighting to raise funds for an expansion that will allow it to incorporate dogs back into its shelter.
Where: State Botanical Gardens of Georgia Conservatory
Cost: $20 in advance, $25 at door
Originally planned to feature "Bark Avenue" luxury pet accommodations, "An Evening in the Garden" committee members were forced to reorganize the event after the low response they received from local artists.
"Our original idea was to approach some local artists and see if they could make a luxury dog bed, a fancy rabbit hutch or even a bird cage for the auction. But we didn't get a good response at all," AAHS member and committee chairperson Holly Musgrove said. "I think that it is very telling of where the economy is right now because the artists have to concentrate on what sells and what pays the bills. A project like this just doesn't, and it would take a lot of work."
Although the committee was able to restructure the auction to feature a lot of animal-themed items such as gift baskets and local donated art, they still project that the auction will make only $5,000 - a low mark compared to years past.
"We know that people's hearts are in the right place but everyone is cutting back right now," said Alysen Heil, vice-president of AAHS.
The two organizers also cite the fact that this is a general fundraiser for the organization as another reason that donations might be lower than those for more specific Humane Society events.
"People normally like to donate to something where they know that 'OK, this money is going to buy dog food,' whereas this money will just go to the organization as a whole to buy supplies for the shelter and to pay bills," Musgrove said.
ATHENS AREA HUMANE SOCIETY'S 'AN EVENING IN THE GARDEN'
When: 6:30-9:30 p.m. FridayWhere: State Botanical Gardens of Georgia Conservatory
Cost: $20 in advance, $25 at door
Originally planned to feature "Bark Avenue" luxury pet accommodations, "An Evening in the Garden" committee members were forced to reorganize the event after the low response they received from local artists.
"Our original idea was to approach some local artists and see if they could make a luxury dog bed, a fancy rabbit hutch or even a bird cage for the auction. But we didn't get a good response at all," AAHS member and committee chairperson Holly Musgrove said. "I think that it is very telling of where the economy is right now because the artists have to concentrate on what sells and what pays the bills. A project like this just doesn't, and it would take a lot of work."
Although the committee was able to restructure the auction to feature a lot of animal-themed items such as gift baskets and local donated art, they still project that the auction will make only $5,000 - a low mark compared to years past.
"We know that people's hearts are in the right place but everyone is cutting back right now," said Alysen Heil, vice-president of AAHS.
The two organizers also cite the fact that this is a general fundraiser for the organization as another reason that donations might be lower than those for more specific Humane Society events.
"People normally like to donate to something where they know that 'OK, this money is going to buy dog food,' whereas this money will just go to the organization as a whole to buy supplies for the shelter and to pay bills," Musgrove said.
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