Volunteers; They do not get paid because they are worthless, but because they are priceless!

Throughout the years, life brings you twists and turns. You rush, rush, rush, barely stopping to smell the roses...rush through school, do the wedding thing, have kids, rush to the baseball diamond, ballet lessons, Brownies and Beavers, live the majority of your life in the hockey arena; (the extent of your wardrobe consists of gloves, down filled parka's and Sorels) - and more than likely you have a van... the kids leave home then you end up trying to do things for yourself; travel more, take up hobbies, buy a 2 seater sports car, go zip-lining and para sailing and try desperately to make those check marks on your bucket list.

There comes a point when you feel the need for some volunteer work in your life. I thought of seniors... and yes, if I was in Ottawa where my mother is, I would be volunteering at her residence several times per week; I thought of doing the Brownie leader thing again, but heck, who wants to hang out with other peoples kids when you don't have to! (perhaps when I am a grand-mother; but not now)

Puppies! They rank quite high on my "what brings joy to your life" list!
Puppies, kittens and animals in general... this past winter I began my research and in the spring I chose my charity...

The Humane Society of Durham Region.

On December 17, 2008 at 2am, the Humane Society of Durham Region was destroyed by fire.
Approximately 150 animals perished in the devastating event. At the end of it all, no cause for the fire was ever determined. We were left to mourn with the enormity of our losses, and we were no longer equipped to provide proper care to the few survivors that remained.

Since the devastation...We moved into a small temporary facility to house our cats and small animals. Our dogs are placed throughout Durham Region in foster homes, kennels and animal services. From donations received, we purchased 2.15 acres of land on which to build our future home. Our application for infrastructure funding from the Federal and Provincial Governments was successful and they will be donating $1,394,000.00 towards our rebuild.

We still need help - we must raise $697,000.00 in order to fulfill our commitment to the infrastructure agreement. Our final goal is $2,081,000.00.

The new shelter will be an inviting place of hope, love and life for both animals and people. There will be enough space to house more animals in a physically and mentally healthy environment. We will have indoor/ outdoor dog runs, an off-leash play area for dogs, communal cat living
with access to a safe enclosed outside area for exercise and fresh air and facilities to meet the needs of many animals. There will be proper ventilation to help with virus control. In keeping with our wish to be environmentally friendly, we will incorporate “green” initiatives including
geothermal and solar tube natural lighting. With all of these initiatives, our operating cost will be less and our animals will be happier and healthier.

To remember our roots and those animals who were lost in the fire, their ashes will be brought to the new shelter and put in a place of honour. They are gone but will never be forgotten as we move to our new location.

"Phoenix Rising" ----------------
A mythical bird that lived with a life span of 500 to1000 years, as the end of its life approached, the Phoenix would build a pyre nest of aromatic branches and spices such as myrrh, ignites it on fire, and is consumed in the flames. A new young Phoenix arises from the ashes reborn anew to live again!-

For more information on Phoenix Rising please visit: www.humanedurham.com

Please remember those that do not have a voice...