GPA Indy Message DONATION DRIVE

[Michelle Carter]

All,
 
Hopefully this message finds you all well, and your hounds happy and healthy as well.  This message comes to you this evening in the hopes that you can help us, by both securing a successful future, and securing a financial safety net.
 
As you all know by now, the economy is struggling, in more ways than one.  It is as a result and not surprising, donations have been down.  We have also lost our second largest fundraiser of the year, the Flower and Patio Show.  That show alone would have netted approximately $6000.00 in valuable income, in the course of one week.  They re-vamped the show, and no non-profit organizations were allowed in, and frankly no businesses that are not lawn and garden related are no longer allowed to participate either.  This was the explanation given to us.  What does this mean for us?  It means we start the year off $6000.00 less in income, that we desperately need.   We have also in recent months seen an increase of dogs being returned due to foreclosure, and job losses.  Some of these dogs are special needs and have had extremely high vet bills, and require monthly medications.  We are being as frugal as we can, and our costs are mounting.  
 
Are we broke?  No, by no means, but we are running low on funds as of right now.  We need to find ways to make up that $6000.00 loss!  By vigorously raising funds, and closely monitoring expenses, we can survive the recession.  However, we can not do it alone we do need your help!!   We are asking for donations at this time from our volunteers, and our adoptive homes!  Please know that it is not our intent to ask for money every week or month or even every year.  However, we find ourselves in a position where we have to look at the bigger picture.  We are $6000.00 down in income, and it's a long way until September where we have our largest fundraiser of the year.  Please know we are not asking for a specific amount of money, every little bit helps!  This is a donation drive, and we need your help to spread the word, you can forward this to as many people as you like, or none at all it is truly your choice!  We are only doing this out of
 complete necessity, and we are actively looking for other ways to continually raise funds, so that in the future all of our eggs are not in one fund-raising basket, but spread throughout the year in a more reliable form.   We are actively looking for corporate sponsors as well,  we work with several notable companies in Indianapolis, and are always looking to forge new relationships.  
 
We have weathered many storms, and this too shall pass with your help.  If you can find it in your hearts to give even a little it would mean a lot right now!  
 
We are also looking for new fund-raising opportunities and would be interested in hearing your ideas!   Any new special events, or opportunities to raise funds for our group should be looked at carefully!  We will also need volunteers to staff those events, so if you have ever thought about volunteering, this is definitely going to be the year to do it!   We truly do have the best volunteers and we appreciate each and everyone of you!  Without you this is not possible.  Because of you over 1000 dogs have found homes in Central Indiana, and we look forward to many more years and placing the next 1000 dogs.  We will persevere, and we will continue to place retired racing greyhounds into permanent loving homes!! 
 
Remeber your donations are Tax Deductible!!
 
 
Donations should be made payable to GPA Indianapolis and mailed to P.O. BOX 42304, Indianapolis, IN 46242
 
On Behalf of the Board,
 
Michelle Carter 
Treasurer
Greyhound Pets of America Indianapolis


      
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