State of the ARF Address
Joe ARF
As we close in on the 2nd year anniversary of the ARF shelter fire we look back at all the events that have happened since and they tell quite a story. It's a story about struggle, loss, drive, and teamwork over a course of 18 months that's had its share of victories and hardships.
The goal of ARF immediately after the fire was to set a ribbon cutting date for a brand new state of the art shelter before the second anniversary of the fire on November 23, 2010.
When we set this goal nobody at ARF knew how much work it would be or the hurdles that were involved in building a new shelter. Designing, adjusting, getting approvals, estimates, contracts, and going to meeting after meeting wore many of us down. Not to mention the fundraising!
As Chairman of the ARF Fundraising efforts I can assure you that nobody thought we would get as far as we did so fast. Through the support of the Bristol-Waterbury area ARF was able to pull off over 70 fundraisers in less than 2 years. It was and still is an incredible effort supported by so many driven and selfless volunteers that it has been a humbling experience being part of such a great team. I never knew that there were so many different types of fundraisers!! We've tried not to repeat too many of them and mix them up a little so supporters didn't get bored. What happened was the diversity of our fundraising led to many new friends and groups eager to help the animals and ARF. The Animal Rescue Foundation will repay all the help given to us by helping the homeless, neglected, and abused animals in our area with our new shelter. Having a safe haven for animals to go to is the best reward and thank you that we know how to give. On that note, ARF is forever grateful to our supporters for the unparalleled compassion displayed when the community was picking us back up when we were down. Remember ARF is yours as well as ours. We will be here to help you and your family for even longer now. The animals are worth it.
Our new shelter will not be fully complete and many of the items we need may have to wait until we fundraise the rest of the money. The shelter will re-open in the sense that we can start saving animals again. Our top priority is to start adoptions. ARF still needs to get over that last economic hurdle. All donations will go directly into finishing our building. Thank you once again on behalf of everyone at ARF.
Donations may be sent to:
ARF
Po Box 538
Thomaston, CT 06787
