Recently, the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society organized and conducted its third annual “Bikers for Bakers” motorcycle “dice” run over the Fourth of July weekend.
The run this year drew a record number of riders of 340, who each paid $20 to go on the 85-mile route through the countryside, ending at DelGrosso Amusement Park in Tipton. For their money, riders received special “limited edition” T-shirts commemorating the ride and were treated to a barbecue chicken dinner and entertainment at the park.
CPHS netted a little over $10 per rider after expenses, but with area businesses sponsoring the shirts, a “silent auction” of donated “big ticket” items, such as weekend condo stays at Blue Knob All-Seasons Resort, and a 50/50 drawing, the take rose to nearly $9,000.
“It sounds like a lot and it is,” said Dave Hopkins, director of CPHS. “But that figure barely represents what it costs us to run the shelter and care for our animals for about two weeks.”
Knowing that makes it easier to understand why Hopkins and other CPHS employees and volunteers work so hard to get public support.
“We work continually at fund-raising in order to survive,” said Hopkins.
Hopkins has served for the past two years as Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society, a century old non-profit with a mission to protect companion animals, find them new homes, reunite lost pets with their owners and prosecute those who harm them.
“We\’re very different from many ‘humane service’ agencies,” said Hopkins. “We get no funding from national organizations or government or local agencies. We depend strictly on the kindness of our area residents for donations, fees from adoptions and animal surrenders and contracts with some local townships for providing animal control services. It\’s a tough job because we\’re constantly asking for help, but we need it.
“We try to present our image in the most positive way possible by letting people know what we do, how and why we do it. There\’s a huge problem with animal overpopulation in this country that most people are just not aware of and as a result, dealing with it isn\’t at the top of their priority list,” noted Hopkins.
When Hopkins took over as director two years ago he bonded with the board of directors, having previously served on the board as a member and subsequently president.
The group worked collectively to establish the first-ever in-house spay/neuter program. They recruited a veterinarian from the area, built a surgical suite at the shelter and began the effort to make a difference in the local animal overpopulation. To date, over 500 spay/neuter procedures have been performed on animals adopted from the shelter located in the Greenwood section of Altoona.
The addition of a vet and related equipment, supplies and utilities have been costly. In addition, CPHS has just invested in hiring and training a second humane officer to deal with the increased load of abuse cases, as well as stray and injured animals. This gives even more reason to step up fund-raising efforts for the shelter, which employs about a dozen workers with only half of them full-time.
The society averages about one special event fundraiser every two months.
They start the year with the well-established ‘Ski for the Animals’ event traditionally held in late January (but scheduled for late February next year) at the Blue Knob ski area.
A combination of sponsored fund-raising by school students who ski/board and a weekend public event is one of the biggest fund-raisers the society undertakes.
But there\’s many more. In late February, the ‘Spay Days’ event raises funds to help pay for low-cost spay/neuter procedures for animal owners whom otherwise couldn\’t afford to have their pets altered. CPHS solicits help from local vets who provide the services for a discounted rate paid in part by the society. Clients most in need are granted the certificates.
March provides an opportunity for active people who like music and enjoy dancing. CPHS hosts The Fabulous Flashbacks and usually draws upwards of 400 people to the Bavarian Hall in Altoona.
“It\’s one of the easiest functions to promote,” said Hopkins. “Most who go are followers of the band and we get a lot of help from area businesses who sell the tickets for us.”
In March the organization conducts a membership drive to raise funds.
“It\’s not so much an event as it is a direct appeal to join the organization,” said Hopkins. “We solicit through direct mailings, our newsletter and the local media.”
Late May (or early June) brings the ‘Pet Walk,’ an event similar to a walk-a-thon where pet owners solicit sponsors then walk their dogs (cat lovers wear “I\’m walking for my cat labels) and compete for awards and door prizes.
July is always reserved for the motorcycle run that is quickly becoming a major fund-raiser for the society. Later in July (this year on the 24th), Altoona running enthusiasts Terry and Michele McGinnis host the Animal Run, a 5K race and two mile walk that starts and ends at the Jaffa Mosque, with proceeds donated to CPHS.
This year the shelter has some new friends who are lending a hand to raise funds. The Logan Valley Broncs, an equestrian group with a club and grounds in Bellwood, has organized a special trail ride called Saddle Up on August 14. For information, call Penny Prough, 742-9816 or 742-9224).
Hopkins is enthused.
“This is a first for us and we\’re really looking forward to it. I\’ve been to their facility and it’s great. I know everyone who takes part in this will have a great time. Even those who don\’t ride like me are invited and should enjoy the atmosphere of being around the horses and watching them work out in the ring.”
A mid-August event draws golfers to the Scotch Valley Country Club and usually raises upwards of nearly $10,000 for CPHS. Then in September, the society hosts its annual Pet Fair at Legion Park, Hollidaysburg for all animal lovers.
“It\’s not a big fund-raiser but rather an opportunity to let people visit with us, give them some information/education about animal issues and care, show off some of our animals waiting for new homes, and provide a chance for them to have fun all at the same time. We have lots of door prizes, sell barbecue chicken dinners (advance orders only), hold a bake sale, a pet show and invite a lot of other animal advocate organizations to set up displays and interact with pet lovers who attend,\” said Hopkins.
“We try to have diverse events throughout the year. Things that appeal to many different people. One of our favorites that\’s not the biggest money-raiser but it\’s a lot of fun is our Satan\’s Revenge Chili-Fest held usually in Early November. We invited local restaurants (last year The Bull Pen in Tyrone took part) to compete with their best chili for judging by a celebrity panel and the people who attend. A local singer, songwriter, entertainer Zupe keeps the party going and makes things more festive for everyone who attends.”
With all those events to prepare for and orchestrate, CPHS staffers stay very busy trying to sandwich in smaller fund-raisers like car washes and school events.
It\’s a never-ending job but one that brings a lot of satisfaction to those who spend the time and effort to make them successful.
“We know we\’re always jumping from one event to the next but it\’s really a way of life for small non-profits,\” said Hopkins.
“Truly, we all would like to see the day when shelters like ours are obsolete. When people learn to respect their animals, not abuse them. And when they finally see that the only way to control the incredible animal population problem is to spay or neuter their pet. When I speak to groups, I always give them this statistic, and I ask them to remember it. ‘Every day in this country ten-thousand children are born. At the same time, seventy-thousand cats and dogs are born. There just aren\’t enough homes to go around. Think about it.’”
Hopkins said he thinks about it everyday and that\’s what keeps him, and his fellow workers and volunteers at the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society going and optimistic that some day the fund-raising may not be needed.
