The Shepherdstown Rotary Club is teaming up with local pet stores to hold two “Stuff-A-Truck” events the October 26-27 weekend to support a number of animal rescue organizations in Jefferson and Berkeley counties.
The primary goal is to collect donations of much needed supplies for the local rescue organizations. But those organizations also want to give a portion of the donations received to animal shelters in communities that were hit the hardest by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
At each event, a 26-foot box truck will be parked outside a pet store, and Rotary volunteers will give shoppers entering the store “wish lists” of the specific kinds of donations being sought. As shoppers come out with donations, the volunteers will sort them into the truck.
The first event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, outside the Petco store in the Potomac Towne Center shopping center on Route 9 in Ranson. The second event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, outside the PetSmart store in the Commons Shopping Center on Apple Harvest Drive in Martinsburg.
As the event title suggests, the goal is to stuff the truck full by the end of the weekend. Rotary volunteers plan to deliver the supplies to the animal rescue organizations the next day, Monday, October 28.
The organizations that will benefit from the effort include the Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County, Rescue Me WV, Freedom Hearts Animal Rescue, A Little TLC, WV Meowtaineers, A Tail’s Wag Dog Rescue, and To The ResQ. All are 501c3 nonprofit organizations, and all donations to them are tax-deductible.
The accompanying photo shows Jefferson County Animal Welfare Society shelter manager Tammy Dunbar with “Ava,” a rescue dog adopted through that shelter.
“These organizations do so much to protect the voiceless, vulnerable animal members of our community,” said Rotary member Susan Reichel, who is helping to organize the effort. “Funding is always tight for these folks, but all of them have been dealing with an unprecedented number of animal cruelty and hoarding cases this year. Their needs far outweigh their budgets at this point. They require a lot more of daily supplies to care properly for the animals they rescue or receive until they can place them in permanent, loving homes.”
“And it’s a testament to their loving spirit that they want to share some of the donations they receive with their counterparts in hurricane-ravaged areas. Those shelters will need all the assistance they can get for a very long time.”
To donate or to volunteer to help on the 26th or 27th, please email Susan at susan@susanreichel.com or text “I’d like to help the animals” to 301-642-1138.
