Here's a bit of a breakdown:
Total number of "boxes" were 1,028--a whopping number.
This totaled 26,844 pounds of gifts for the cats.
FIrst paypal and first box arrived September 9--an early start!
110 bags of dry kitten food
95 bags of dry adult food
215 snacker containers (the cats especially like this!)
498 canned cat food containers
111 canned kitten food containers
106 cases of baby food meat
357 bags of litter
We had over 45 volunteers here helping!
And lots and lots of other items from coffee & snacks for the vols, paper towels, toys, gift cards, cleaning supplies, dryer sheets, mop heads, plates, tuna, chicken baby wipes, etc and even toilet paper!
We had some really awesome surprises, including 300 bags of litter delivered here for Kitty Christmas. Plus we received more bags above this amount!
We also received much needed medical supplies (paid in full!)--distemper vaccines, bordetella vaccines, Idexx leukemia/FIV/heartworm test kit box, Panacur wormer, a long-acting antibiotic. So wonderful to have these items and have them paid for already!
I was presented with a paper scroll that showed our gigantic vet bill. I was so engrossed in the amount of money that we owed, I didn't at first see it was stamped PAID IN FULL! What a tremendous gift that was and a huge worry off my shoulders.
And then..........there was excess donations to that vet bill that we accumulated a credit at the vet's bill. And by the time our generous FFRCNation pitched in some bump ups, we have now a credit of over $6,100!!!!!!! What a relief!
Goss/Linda was the original person who thought up the idea of Kitty Christmas--many thanks! And then BIll and Angie rolled with it---
I've been asked about my "thank you" at the end of Kitty Christmas, so I'll just print it here:
"The first thing I’d like to do is to thank all of you who support Friends of Felines Rescue Center. It may be thru donations, from prayers and good thoughts, joining us for our Fun-Raiser and Flash Sales or keeping track of the kitties and cats on the webcam. There’s so many ways that you show us that you care about the cats, the volunteers---the work that we do here.
It’s awesome
to know you have our backs for myself and the volunteers which then allows us
to give quality care to the cats and kittens.
The donations, the love, the compassion that you give us is mind
boggling. The words thank you really is not
enough. But…..here’s my promise………I will always give my best to this rescue
center. I love this FFRC with a passion
and I want to honor you by doing my best.
The
volunteers that we have…………aren’t they just the bestest of the best!! Our volunteers are truly priceless. They give
their time and talent and compassion – all with a whole heart. Volunteers show
their big hearts, their unselfish caring and patience to FFRC. Rescue work is not a glamor job. It’s hard,
dirty, frustrating work at times. But………it’s a hundred times acceptable because
this is what happens……….the Derechos show us how determined they are to be
their own self, the Mr. Andersons show us that they get an A+ for their
efforts, when the kittens climb our legs and look at us like we are their mamas
(which we are!), when I hear the volunteers laughing and giggling about a funny
situation, when the potty accidents happen and the cats give us that look of “I’m
very very sorry”, when they fall asleep on us for a nap……….all of it……it’s
rewarding and so fills us with joy. It
takes special people to be volunteers and we sure are blessed with our
volunteers.
Brian, our
Santa Claus. You are awesome. We all thank you for your generous heart. You help make this Kitty Christmas be
possible. When kindness was being given out, you were given a huge dose of it! You
give and give and keep on smiling!
Angie and
Bill—wow………I sure don’t know how to say enough thank yous. You have given huge chunks of your time for
FFRC. You have shopped at uncountable stores for Kitty Christmas. You have given up your garage to hold all
these wonderful donations! You give so much of yourselves to this Rescue
Center. And you have been here almost 20
years with me---our first volunteers! I am deeply grateful to you both. And let’s just say for the record—I’m quite
sure this is all Bill and Goss’s fault!
I’m
wondering…….has anyone ever told you all out there in cam land how wonderful
you all are? Just in case you haven’t
heard these words in a while, I want you to hear them now. You deserve to know that……..It takes someone
special like you all are to help this Rescue Center function as it does. It
takes someone remarkable to let the volunteers know they are appreciated. It takes someone who has a big heart and a
caring soul to have the compassion that we feel from you. It takes someone who
is living proof of how treasured a person can be. And that someone is……our webcam friends who
have made this Kitty Christmas a tremendous success. You are exactly what AN Act of Kindness
really means. We are grateful!
And Steve…….he’s
my backer-upper, my hubby of 45 years!
He is so patient with me, let’s me rant and rave on those days that I
need to, never tires of hearing me talk about the cats, let’s me cry when I have
to, shares my joy of FFRC and is always available to help in so many ways. Sure
do love him!"
Kitty Christmas was just the most special of days for FFRC. For me to see the kind of support shown was very overwhelming. Our shelves, cabinets, drawers, buildings are full with much needed items! You all are important to me and this Rescue Center. If I could, I'd jump into everyone's home and give a quick hug of thanks! Please know that I am so very grateful.
Tomorrow--fun quickie flash sale at NOON---LOTS of Christmas items! We have so many people that are very talented and have donated handmade items for these sales!
Have an awesome day! I'm still basking in the greatness of yesterday!
