Spring update

After numerous false starts spring is finally here! We've persevered through late winter storms, wind storms, and seemingly endless rain to be rewarded with shining sun, the smell of fresh-cut grass, tree blossoms, baby robins, and the other countless joys that usher in a season of renewal, revival, and growth.

Project Maddie has experienced some set backs lately. What has gotten us through is the continued support of two monthly donors, Flirt Custom Lash (you can visit them at http://flirtcustomlash.com/) and a private donor. There is still a shortfall between incoming donations and monthly expenses but we wouldn't have made it this far without them. Sommer and Robert, thank you!

There are many things that go in to keeping Project Maddie up and running and able to assist a family whenever and wherever assistance is needed, often at the drop of a hat. People don't plan for crises in their lives, they often happen without warning, and we need to be there to help. By the time people seek assistance their situations have usually already reached a critical point. A week for you or I is just a week. For a petowner in need it's 7 days of choosing to feed their pets instead of themselves (this has been the case of the families we've assisted without exception). It's 7 days of someone having an empty stomach. So when someone reaches out to us we need to be able to respond quickly - within 24 hours if possible .

Unfortunately a few of our recent setbacks are impacting our ability to respond to requests for assistance in a timely manner.

1. Transportation: The only vehicle currently available to pick up and drop off food has been the 2000 Mazda Protege you may have read about in the Toronto Star article. The alternator on the vehicle is now shot making it literally unsafe to drive. Transportation expenses have significantly increased over the past few months, particularly gas prices.

How you can help: If you know of a good mechanic in the Oakville area that may be willing to give discounted labour rates to help us continue our work please let us know. We'd happily thank the mechanic or shop on this blog. You can also donate gas cards (however a Canada Post strike is looming so any mail sent to our post office box may not be delivered until the strike is over). Any donations made toward our transporation expenses will only be used for transportation. We are also looking for volunteer drivers in the GTA until our vehicle can be repaired - this may be a couple of weeks.

2. People. We need people! We held a modestly attended volunteer orientation/information session in Toronto in the new year. Since then we've lost the other member of our executive team due to scheduling conflicts with work. Elysa's passion for and contributions to Project Maddie were invaluable. Please join me in thanking Elysa, congratulating her for her promotion at work, and wishing her the very best. She's an amazing woman and there will always be a place for her at Project Maddie.

We need volunteers to drive, fundraise, spread the word, assist our clients, and attend special events. It's critical for Project Maddie to have a strong, stable executive so we can submit our application to the CRA for registered charity status.

How you can help: If you're interested in getting involved with Project Maddie please contact us. If you have the time and motivation to join the executive team please send a resume highlighting your unique strengths, skills, and experiences, and how they can tie in to Project Maddie.

3. Donations. We're still experiencing a monthly shortfall. Even a one time donation is incredibly helpful, no amount is too small.

None of these challenges are insurmountable. Project Maddie will persevere because what we do is more than worthwhile: it keeps people and pets together and it saves lives. I know Project Maddie's "spring" is just around the corner. I hope you'll be part of it. It's more rewarding than I can say.