"We're not afraid to dream big," says Coastal Pet Rescue president and founder Lisa Scarbrough. "If Oprah's people can change lives, there should be no reason we can't get the Savannah business community to help us do the same."
With little in donations in the last six months and mounting veterinary expenses, the volunteers at Coastal Pet Rescue are trying something new.
"The challenge is to get businesses to donate money, their services or volunteer time to help us in our mission," says Scarbrough.
In the short time Coastal Pet Rescue has issued the challenge, four businesses have already accepted. Gary Helmey of Daniel Kitchen & Bath will complete fencing for the dog play yard on Friday morning and has offered to additionally build a custom cabinet for storage. Moesch Media has donated $3,500 work of advertising in its publications to promote adoption and volunteering. Habersham Beverage will donate water and soft drinks for volunteers at the next adoption event, and The New South Cafe has pledged five dinner gift certificates to give foster parents a night out.
"There are so many ways people can help," says Scarbrough. "We just need someone to make an offer. We have big needs such as roof repair for our storage shed which houses our supplies and food and funding towards veterinary care. But we can also use gas cards and cleaning supplies to help foster parents and volunteers who already give so much to the organization."
Coastal Pet Rescue has established a new page on its website with ideas as well as to track the progress of the Big Give Challenge. Photos and videos of the deeds will be showcased and even sent to The Oprah Winfrey Show. Log on to http://www.coastalpetrescue.org/
"We had $2,000 in vet bills since Saturday," says Scarbrough. "It would be great if we could get some help so our services will continue to be available to our community's pets."
