(The title of this entry comes from the unforgettable 1984 movie “Ghostbusters,” which maybe a few of you out there are old enough – like me – to remember.)
A few weeks ago I had the privilege of being present at an event which was the culmination of several years of very hard work and dedication; the ceremonial ribbon cutting of the brand new facility in Ivins, Utah, The Ivins Animal Shelter. This effort was the brainchild of two beloved clients and friends of mine, Linda Elwell and Lesley Mendenhall, who dreamed one day in 2004 of a “No Kill” shelter in Southern Utah, rolled up their sleeves, and got to work and a kill shelter became a “No Kill” shelter where animals began being saved and placed in loving homes or placed in facilities which best handled their special needs. The building they had for the shelter itself, however, was old and inadequate to meet the burgeoning needs of the homeless, frightened, sick or injured pets which desperately needed a safe haven.
Linda Elwell, is a tiny woman with an enormous heart for not only homeless pets, but also for her family, sick or crisis stricken neighbors, and seemingly anyone who crosses her path that needs a helping hand. I have had the opportunity to see first hand the much dedication Linda brings to each project as she has graciously chosen to include me in many of them over the past several years as their printer and graphic artist. I first met Linda in 2002 when I worked with her on designing invitations and an auction book for a fund raiser for a young mother with cancer. Over the past several years I have worked with her in a similar capacity on flood relief efforts, honoring returning veterans and their families, honoring particular individuals who have served outstandingly in the Ivins community, and fund raising for a teenager stricken with cancer, just to name a few, but, The Friends of Ivins Animal Shelter, has always been Linda’s “pet” project. (Pun absolutely intended!) I was involved from close to the beginning, with my first project being designing a logo for the shelter, then over time, brochures, invitations, posters, etc. Consequently, I have seen the countless hours Linda has dedicated to fund raising for the shelter, lobbying at council meetings, organizing volunteers and networking with other animal rescue groups.
On July 24th, 2009 through Linda’s efforts, and many, many other volunteers and donors too numerous to mention here, the dream of a brand new building equipped with everything needed to best accommodate the needs of homeless pets officially became a reality. The Friends of Ivins Animal Shelter is a wonderful example of what vision, dedication and community effort can produce. It has been an absolute inspiration to me to see it unfold over time, with as it’s crowning touch, this wonderful new facility staffed with committed volunteers who will make a tremendous difference in the health, safety, and quality of life in the animals entrusted to their care.
If you are interested in volunteering or making a donation to the Friends of Ivins Animal Shelter, please click here for more information:
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