Linens for Animals Seeks Partners for National Expansion

April 28, 2011 - PRLog -- DALLAS--Linens For Animals (LFA), a unique organization which provides recycled commercial linens for helpless animals, is seeking partners to expand their efforts beyond the 19 states already serviced. “We want to see a Linens For Animals in every state – in every community,” said Lori Birdsong, Director and Founder.

Since 2006, Linens for Animals has acquired, and donated, hospital-sanitized linens, including blankets, towels, rags and pee pads to almost 2,000 shelters, wildlife rehabilitation facilities and rescue groups across the country.

“We’ve donated enough linens to fill 119 eighteen wheelers. When put end to end, they would stretch for more than 1.6 miles and equal nearly 2 million pounds!” Birdsong said.

Birdsong’s mission is to inspire those with a passion and love for animals, on how to create similar organizations in their communities. Additionally, she is seeking professional partners to help with expansion and education efforts. “We need dedicated community leaders from all walks of life, from professionals to philanthropists to business leaders. My goal is to gather a team that can perpetuate Linens For Animals’ mission.”

Birdsong believes she was “born to help animals.”

“I can’t handle seeing or hearing about animals in pain or suffering. It truly devastates me,” she said. “After trying to help in other ways, I found a real need - linens. In shelters, instead of spending what could be their last days on a bare concrete floor, the animals have a soft, clean place to sleep - also while being rehabilitated or in temporary foster care.”

Birdsong and her husband, Dr. Mark Bussan, a Certified Veterinary Chiropractitioner, also founded a “NO KILL” Shelter/Sanctuary in McKinney, TX. “Our critters need ‘rock stars’ to help them, too,” said Birdsong.

She is also writing a how-to manual to help new start-ups recreate her unique business model and mission. It will be available online soon. In the interim, Birdsong offered valuable tips to jump-start those who want to begin a linen recycling program in their own communities. (Nine of many tips that Birdsong will share are listed on the LFA website at www.linensforanimals.org):

       1.Be tenacious seeking donated linens. Call hospitals, nursing homes and hotels. Most retired linens are generally sold for pennies on the dollar - or sent to the dump. When calling potential donors, educate them about being “green” while helping animals, too.
        2.Partner with a non-profit, or become a non-profit, so you are able to give the donors of the linens a “write-off.” The tax credit for their donation will help their bottom line. Also, make the process as simple as possible.
        3.Find local volunteers. Recruit people with time, vehicles and the physical strength to sort, load and unload the linens.

“If one couple in Texas has helped hundreds of thousands of animals - literally - imagine what we could do with sponsors, professional support and more volunteers,” Birdsong emphasized. “Together, we could collectively serve millions of animals everywhere there is a need.”

For more information about Linens for Animals, volunteer or send a tax-deductible donation, please call (972) 509-9393 or visit www.LinensForAnimals.org.

About Linens For Animals
Linens For Animals is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization “providing comfort to animals in need” through the donation and distribution of sanitized commercial linens. Linens for Animals also operates a “NO KILL” Shelter/Sanctuary. To learn more about Linens for Animals, please visit www.linensforanimals.org.

Media Contact
Linens For Animals
Lori Birdsong, 972-509-9393
Lori@LinensForAnimals.org