By Maggie Moran
 
Welcome to our ORHS newsletter!  First, I’d like to thank Stephanie Coleman and Dave Delich for their dedication and leadership over the past years.  We have a great Board in place ready to have an exciting year.
 
As you all know, the main purpose of ORHS is to rescue cats and dogs and provide love and care plus whatever is necessary to prepare them for their forever homes.  Some are easier than others, but that is what makes ORHS unique – we just don’t give up.
 
This can’t be done alone.  We have generous supporters – be it monetarily or by volunteering.  I personally appreciate this more than you will ever know.  Anyone that has ever been involved in fundraising knows and understands how difficult it is but also how necessary it is to accomplish our goals.
 
Our volunteers are the backbone of ORHS and we never have enough.   Perhaps you love animals but are allergic to dogs and cats or you are busy and can’t make a commitment at this time.  Did you know that you could make a couple phone calls a month (on your schedule) to remind someone that they are scheduled to have their dog or cat spayed or neutered?  You could also make a call as a follow up on an adoption just to see how things are going.   Maybe you are good with the computer or publicity etc.  Trust me, we can use whatever skills you might want to share.
 
There is, of course, always a need for volunteers to help with fundraising.  But big fundraisers are one part - also important are the small fundraisers by individuals (children & adults) – lemonade stands – dog washes – bake sales- birthday parties – special event parties – individuals who have had donation drives at work – Creativity is a wonderful thing.
 
Let me close by saying the individuals who volunteer and support ORHS have enormous hearts and have a dedicated effort to rescue our furry friends.  I am so very proud to be associated with this wonderful organization.  Maybe you have a big heart and passion and would like to be a part our team. Give us a call.

ORHS distributes over 9 tons, (yes, 9 tons- 18,000 lbs.) of cat and dog food
each year to folks in need in Putnam and Green counties

Highlights on our new Mayor …

• I am a mixed breed…. maybe cocker poodle or schnauzer poodle. It’s really OK to call me a doodle mutt.  I was 1 when a large foster group in Atlanta placed me in a foster home. It wasn’t long that this became my “forever home”.  And now I am 5 years old.  Time flies !
• I have a sister named “Chrissie” and she is 3ish.  She too was adopted from Another rescue in Atlanta.
• My favorites:  Long walks on the golf course; any kind of ball that I can flip in the air and go chase.  And I love to go over to my grandpa and grandmas place who live at Reynolds landing. My parents love to play golf and tennis and even pickle ball.  They also love to travel.  My mom, Tracy is a board member of ORHS, Oconee Regional Humane Society.
• I am quite proud that I raised over $1,000 for our Humane Society.  I ran against some great competition and in total we raised $6,000+.  Everyone needs to know that we have a great Humane Society here at the lake.  ORHS !  ORHS does much more than saving animals.  They do low cost spay and neuters, food programs for needy dogs in our area and also helps  out people in our community who can’t afford medical emergencies for their cats or dogs.
  

And to do all this, ORHS needs volunteers !  Volunteering is so much fun and there are lots of opportunities - so come over to the ORHS Center and fill out a volunteer application.   The folks there are really nice too!  The address is      
1020 Park Ave, Suite 101.  Phone # 706-454-1508.

Katherine Calhoun, ORHS volunteer extraordinaire, takes two of ORHS’ black kittens to the Blessing of the Animals at Redeemer Episcopal Church. Father Bill is the priest.  It doesn’t get much better than this for these dear kitties.  No doubt, the blessing will benefit them in their 9 lives ahead !  Thank you, Katherine, for all the love and tender care you share with our ORHS cats and kittens.

by Maggie Moran

If you have ever lost a beloved pet due to whatever the reason – you understand how it hurts and you never forget the unconditional love the pet gave you.  They were your friend, your buddy, your companion. They were, in fact, a member of your family.  They brought joy to the family. For myself, I have lost several and I still have a place in my heart for each and every one of them.

There are many many quotes and poems about losing a pet.  Yes, most will bring tears to your eyes.  But I think this says it all.

Just wanted to follow up with you about “Harley/Enzo”. He is adjusting to everything perfectly. He's super smart and catches on quickly, He already knows how to sit on command and he answers to his new name "Enzo". He has only had a few accidents in the house (which is understandable) and we're working to improve it a little bit every day. He's truly perfect! Thank you so much for letting us adopt him. He is the last puzzle piece to our family! -  -Leslie

We love having “Beckett” as part of our family !  Emily

“Harrison” is doing great and has been such a cute and funny guy !  William

“Peter” is doing great!  He’s made friends with our other cats. The former baby cat of the family was not too happy about him when he first arrived, but she’s coming around. He is so sweet! He likes to “help” me work on the computer and has enjoyed exploring the house. It’s wonderful to have such an easy-going cat who loves to be held. Thank you all for the great start in life you gave him!  Erin

Thank you and all of your team for excellent cat adoption experience. My husband and I are so glad to have two kitties that are so high spirited. We live in a three-story condo with long hallways and they love running up and down the halls. “Lexie” is the Alpha, and despite being smaller, leads “Shasta” into most of the kitty fun. I can tell you took excellent care of them during their stay. Hope to support your agency in the future and will share our experience with neighbors and friends. - Noreen and Tim

Richard Mayson for taking over spay/neuter program
Da Corrado’s for hosting two SPAYghetti Dinners for ORHS
Main Street Vet for helping us with our heart worm positive dogs
PetSmart in Milledgeville and Athens and Pet Supplies Plus for their food and bed donations
Silver Moon and Brian Quinn for their help with Fantasy Golf
Bobby and Brenda Bray and Lake Oconee Beverage for donations to SPAYghetti Dinners
Greensboro First United Methodist Church Preschool on Carey Station Road. Their students collected $218. and donated it to ORHS with their community service project “Pennies for Puppies”!
Bebe Mills birthday fundraiser
Leigh Lofgren for Pet Photos with Santa
Maggie Lane for their fundraiser “Shop for a Cause”

All the 2018 Mayoral Candidates:

• Winner – “Winnie” - Tracy Tvrdy
  
• Harley” - Peggy Ruzika
  
• “Annie” - Lynn Herbert
• “Rufus” - Sally Crouse
• “Simon” - Shulaika La Cruz
• “Quincy” - Gina O'Shea
  

Park Place Animal Hospital for their continued support
Jordan Eagle for his birthday fundraiser
Joyce Daniel for the Christmas stocking fundraiser and treat jar fundraiser 
Debbie Spann, Thomas Smith, Bob Smith, Mike and Angie for their time and efforts in renovating our cat rooms.  It’s an ongoing project but is already simply beautiful...and the cats love it!
Jim Higdon for donating the dollhouse he built and Diane Boswell for being the great ticket sales person
Pikes Nursery for donating a beautiful Christmas tree
OCONEE Brewery who asked us to be a part of their first Oktoberfest 

These generous donors for the SPAYgetti Dinner

• Zapiens
  
• Fishtails
• Parkside Main
• LL Mio Gioiello Ladies Boutique
  
• Camille & Company
• Jean Jeitz
• Leslie Manley
• Park Place Animal Hospital
• Pet Wants-Madison Pikes
• Maggie & Bob Moran
• Sandy Evans /Glass Works
• Harmony Pet Resort
• Linda Merkler/Doterra Essential Oils
• Oconee Beverage Warehouse
• Stephanie & Marty Colton

 
Lynn Herbert for spear heading and executing The Main Event! A lot of time and hard work went into the success of this:)))). Kudos to Lynn
All of our wonderful ORHS Volunteers… We could never do what we do without all of you!

Ken and Pamela Hancock held a party and asked that everyone bring something for ORHS.  Even though they are new to the area they picked ORHS as the charity to benefit from the generosity of their friends.  They included the ORHS Wish List with the invitations to let people know what was needed.  There were people from Charleston (their former home) Hilton Head, St Simons and Atlanta - about 100 people in total.  Over 400 pounds of pet food was donated along with cases of paper towels, bleach and of course cash.

Thanks to each and everyone in our community who shares in so many ways with ORHS for our dear cats and dogs !

by Sharon Crosby

 The Tuesday Tees Golf Group, headed by Sharon Crosby, celebrated Halloween on the National course at Reynolds.  “Our Golf Game Has Gone To The Dogs” was the theme and the players arrived in dog costumes.
 A cardboard picture of “No Fuss Gus” and the “Dog Catcher” (Dennis Crosby in disguise)  greeted the players as they arrived the course. Carts were decorated with signs stating, “Who Let The Dogs Out?” and “Beware Of Dogs!”.
 After a round of golf, a Hot Dog Lunch Buffet was served at Oconee Regional Humane Society in Greensboro.  A tour of ORHS led by Jill Schurig ended the event. 

 $450.00 was raised for ORHS due to the generosity of the golfers.   
Such a novel idea and such great fun !

We often hear from people that they want to support and volunteer with ORHS but because they can’t foster an animal, they don’t speak up. Well, there are lots of other ways you can help our organization whether you work hands-on with the animals or not. We have some of the best volunteers around and now we’re reaching out to you to join us in one of the most rewarding causes there is.

We have some fresh new faces on our Board of Directors and we have lots of work to do. We rely on a number of critical committees to help us achieve our goals and it’s time to get them moving.
 
So, If you have led or worked on a committee for us before and would like to continue just let us know. If you think you would like to participate on a committee or take on a leadership role, let’s talk further so we can share some of our plans for 2018.

If you are new to our organization and would like to become more involved let us know and we’ll talk about where you would like to devote your time.
 
Volunteer opportunities are as follows: Kitty and puppy care, foster home, fundraising, education – adult and children, community food distribution, transportation, volunteer coordinator, and publicity...(website, articles, newsletter, grant writing, etc.)
 
Thank you!! It is a great place to volunteer!!
 
Please contact: Jill Schurig. Volunteer Coordinator/ORHS--706-454-1508 or ORHSpets@gmail.com

Saturday & Sunday September 22nd & 23rd
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Donation drop offs are between 11-3 p.m. Monday through Saturday at ORHS Adoption Center located at 1020 Park Ave., Suite 101 (behind Pickle Barrel on Hwy 44)

Pick up is available for large items or furniture.

Call 706-454-1508 to arrange for pick up. Tax receipts for donations will be available.  Please no clothing or books
 
The Furniture and Accessory Sale will be on July 21st !

Buncoween…  a novel and new twist to introduce new faces and friends to the ORHS Center and the work (fun) we do. After getting a tour of the Center (by Jill Schurig, ORHS Volunteer Coordinator) and then hearing about the variety of volunteer opportunities, the approximately 40 gals sat down to a fun evening of Bunco play with prizes, food and festivity. Many of the women dressed up in their best Halloween costumes and were a sight/fright for sore eyes !  Stay tuned for word about the 2nd Annual Buncoween coming this fall.

The SPAYghetti Dinners were such outstanding successes.  There were two Mondays that ORHS held them in February at Corrado’s Restaurant.  A big thank you goes to Corrado and his staff for delicious food and great service. We also thank Ann Foster, from Coldwell Banker, who was our sponsor as well as the many businesses and friends that donated items for the raffle.
 
And it goes without saying … a shout out thank you to those who attended to support ORHS’ efforts to spay and neuter cats and dogs in our community!  Last year, ORHS provided S/N procedures to almost 900 animals through our low income, mobile, Trap/Neuter/Release programs and of course by spaying or neutering all of our own rescues.