What started as a collection among a handful of friends and co-workers has now spread into a community-wide effort to help the Caldwell County Animal Shelter.
Avis Lawhorn and Lisamarie Maki are both animal lovers, both volunteer their time with the local animal shelter and both are employees of Walmart.
“When it gets cold like this, the animals at the shelter really suffer. I knew there was a need for blankets, towels, anything that could be used to keep the animals warm, so I asked my co-workers to donate things,” said Lawhorn.
“It could be any new or used blankets or towels.”
One of Lawhorn’s managers learned of her efforts and said it was something that could be opened up to the customers.
“Now we have a basket set up at the front of the store next to the service center where people can leave their donations,” said Lawhorn.
The effort to support the Caldwell County Animal Shelter filtered over into the photo department of the store as well.
“We have photo contests all the time, and all the money raised goes to some kind of charity,” said Lawhorn. “Brenda Lowery takes care of our contests, and she is doing this one too.”
The contest is called “Favorite Family Pets.” Members of the community can take a photograph of their pet to the store and pay $1 for it to be displayed. A winner will be selected and will receive a $10 prize and a free 8x10.
“All the money we raise will go to the animal shelter,” said Lawhorn.
The community support has been strong so far, with a full basket of pet rugs, blankets and towels collected in one week.
The collection and photo contest are set to run through Feb. 15 at the store.
Lawhorn and Maki said volunteering or offering donations to the animal shelter is something they do on a regular basis and something that anyone from the community can do as well.
“There are so many things they need and so many things that need to be done,” said Maki. “Anything your pets need at home, these animals at the shelter need too.”
Maki said she washes numerous loads of laundry each week for the shelter and is often used as a “driver,” transporting animals to other shelters or toward adoptive families.
“Any volunteers of any age can be used,” she said.
Lawhorn said what she hopes to see is more community support that will lead to the construction of a new shelter.
“It is badly needed,” she said. “If you go to the shelter and just see how it is now, you will know how much we need to build a new one.”
Caldwell County Animal Rescue President Jennifer Nelson said it was “so touching” to learn of the efforts of Lawhorn and Maki.
“These are people who on their own initiative decided to do something to help,” said Nelson.
The prospect of building a new shelter is on the horizon, according to Nelson.
“Ann Farmer has been a big help in taking the reins of our grant project,” said Nelson. “We will be applying for significant funding through the state, and that application is due in July.
“It is not a guarantee, but it is an avenue we are pursuing.”
Nelson said in order for a new shelter to be built, support will have to come in the form or grant monies, county funds and private donations.
“The project is alive and well,” she said.
In the meantime, volunteers are needed at the shelter to do everything from cleaning cages to petting the animals.
The shelter is located on the Cadiz Road between Food Giant and the ball fields.
Any person wanting to learn more about volunteering can stop by the shelter during regular hours, Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday evenings 4-6 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Those interested may also call 365-4652 and leave a message.
“We are very appreciative of people’s willingness to give of their time and money,” said Nelson. “We couldn’t do this without volunteers.”
Nelson said Caldwell County Animal Rescue will meet Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fire Training Center. Everyone is welcome to attend and learn more about the shelter and efforts of the organization to continue offering a no-kill animal shelter in Caldwell County.
