How Can I Help You?
I hear this question frequently. People I meet in the neighborhood grocery, the local shops and coffee emporia, at the doctor’s office, the park--all recognize a need and are poised to fill it, if only they (and I) can sort out Just What It Is I Really Want! Well, dear reader, I am here to define my “wants”. Don’t stop reading…they are simple, cost nothing and are easily fulfilled! What I, and the devoted animal lovers at With A Little Help From My Friends, want is to continue the good work that began with the inception of The Center! Love and kindness abound amongst our staff, board members, volunteers and beloved adopters. The people in Bellaire and the surrounding communities do their part by donating toys, food, bedding and $$$. Dog walkers and cat petters donate their precious time when they come to enrich the animal’s day. Volunteers clean, weed, sort, organize events and lend a sympathetic ear to staff and critters alike. And still, you ask…you want MORE?? Greedy Lady, indeed. Well, yes. There are three events on the horizon that are worth “mentioning”: The Center Spring Cleanup Day, The Annual Garage Sale and The Ongoing Drive to Collect Grocery Receipts. So here goes—
WE COLLECT GROCERY RECEIPTS FROM FAMILY FARE AND VILLAGE MARKET!—Ongoing
The branch offices of Alden State Bank each have a collection box (black and white spots with a sign attached indicating where to put the receipts). Each receipt donated from any branch of either market is redeemable for $$$$ that come straight to The Center to help our beloved animals. All you need do is stuff those grocery receipts into the cute little box, and we do the rest. See! I said it was easy… Branch locations are in Alden, Bellaire, Central Lake and Elk Rapids.
ANNUAL SPRING CLEAN-UP AND GARDENING DAY AT THE CENTER!—May 20
Last spring a group of volunteers gathered at The Center for a day of cleaning, organizing, sorting and gardening. We like to think that on any given day, The Center is spick and span, but WOW! we had such a wonderful and energetic cleaning crew that the place fairly shone. Windows sparkled, floors gleamed, cupboards were organized to within an inch of their lives, and the walls (oh my, the walls!) looked as if they had been newly painted. Cheerful workers power-washed our siding, the deck and ramps and anything else that didn’t run and hide. Our laundry room was organized and tidy and each and every animal was cuddled until they purred and woofed with delight.
AND GUESS WHAT? ON SATURDAY, MAY 20 WE ARE DOING IT AGAIN!
Please join us for a day of truly gratifying work accompanied by snacks, coffee from Moka Bellaire and the companionship of animal loving people and people loving animals! We supply the supplies—you supply the enthusiasm!
WALHFMF ANNUAL GARAGE SALE—June 10
Our highly anticipated garage sale is coming to The Community Center located on Thayer Lane next door to the Senior Center. The wide array of donated merchandise always astounds me. From gently used clothing and shoes to beautiful dishes, furniture, books, home improvement materials and crafting supplies, there truly is something for everyone! Come early, since the goodies go fast! Do you have items to donate? Call or email us at The Center and we can arrange a drop off location or even pick-up. Want to help? Come help us sort and price. It is a wonderful opportunity to socialize with friends and at the same time do a really good turn for the animals. All proceeds go directly to benefit our beautiful adoptables.
As always, we appreciate more than ever the support and kindness of our wonderful community members. It is heartwarming to see how very much Antrim County cares about the members of our world who cannot themselves ask for help. We are their voice and you, our friends and supporters, are the heart and soul of The Center. We hope you will join us in donating receipts, attending our clean-up day and garage sale and enjoying the many other events we have planned for the summer and autumn. More information will follow concerning other upcoming events. In the meantime…Happy Spring and see you at The Center!
