Wednesday, January 20, 2010

DONE! (fundraising, that is!)

Bully BULLY!

We're so happy to report that you did it - You helped us raise 100K to make a modest BR holding facility a reality, and you did it with a bang. We were inching our way towards 'Done!' in the final push of our campaign when an anonymous donor came through and donated the last 8K to rocket us over the finish line. We were dancing like crazed fools around here with the good news.

Raising that kind of money during such dry times was a tall order, but this campaign came together in only six months time. Amazing. We're proud to tell you that every single dollar came from a "common Joe" pit bull owner or supporter and in many cases, their employee matching donations ... We didn't receive any monies from large orgs; it all spilled out in heartfelt gifts large and small from real people all over the country. This is the power of the love that exists for these dogs.

To be honest we've been holding this happy news for a couple of weeks, but needed to fuzz out a bit while we dealt with the death of our pet. Losing Simon before the barn was done was especially hard; I'd really hoped it would be completed before he left us so he could bless it with his smiles, like he's done for so many BR projects over the years. We decided to bury our friend next to the barn - under its front porch, actually - so his big happy spirit can watch over every dog and human who uses this space.

Despite the heartbreak in our holidays, it felt great knowing that we would be able to start the new year without needing to beg up funds for the bones of the project anymore. A huge relief!

But what about that barn you ask?! Where are the photos of the finished product? I wish we could show them to you, but we've been in a holding pattern since December as we deal with city furloughs and temperamental employees in our broke city, variances, and yet more building permit delays ... What a hassle! We've heard what a pain it can be to do things by the book, but this is starting to feel like Chinese water torture. We're doing our very best to be patient knowing that there are plenty of dogs out there who need help.

While we tap our fingers over the permit sign-offs (once we're signed off, our contractor predicts 2-3 weeks to complete), we're pulling together the final materials needed to make this place a dog home. We're lovin' the windows! At the bottom of this post, check out the little video of trainer Linda Chwistek and her boy Audie having some fun in the yard just outside the barn. A sign of happy times to come!



Listed are the names of the people who helped us cross the finish line of this fundraiser....
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

Susan Mitchell, Lindsey Wetterhahn, Kristen Hopkins, Aimee Chagnon, Edward Mittlestaedt, William Wilson, Robert Morisky, Maria Paladino, Sarah Covert Flory, Todd Antonuk, Katherins Pitts, Myra Tamanaha, Mark Johnson, Rachelle Valente, F. Matthew Zanner, Patricia Weisenberger, SWM Automotive, Andrea Stout, Julia Price, Jeanine Hebdon, Jennie Pack, Sue Hildebrandt, Jenifer Usher Toyomi Stinson, Sara Gann, Shaun Niel, Carol Lane, Tracy powell, Lisa Parmley, Michele Burbano, Angela Chua, Naalie Bowen, Carol Toms, Donna Smith, Mark Paul, LisaMarie Wame, Joyce Chen, Pablo Diaz, Tom Schmiegel, Robert McNicholas, Janel McDonald, Devera Shapiro, Laurence Berland, Nafija Weston, Kellin Defiel, Sherin Halfon, Elains Goodwin, Mary Jo Cananico, Daniel Roll, Nina Glikshtern, Richard Stewart, Katherine Nichols, Deborah G. Meads, Dorothy Mora, Nicole Vonderheide, Beverly Lawrence, Veronice Selco, Elaine Kuo, Amanda Williams, Joseph Tinner, Kaelin Dodd, William Thompson, Carolyn Mcintosh, Anna M. Stone, Kolleen Dohermann, Donna Blackwell, Esther Shir, Kare J. Anderson, Luisa Serrano, Anita Michel, Christine Mcgettigan, Debra Mittleman, Natalie Ucci, Sharon Scharm Harris, Sheri Cardo, Cris Cohen, Thomas Strother, Roxanne Alden, Molly Fleischner, Carly Selzer, Letti de Little, Renee Beltrenena, Cathlyn Valera, Michael Balter, Serena Gelb, Maria Harrington, Berth Cannon, Jill Morrow, Karen Jansson, Jamie Reilly, Pamela Quarterly, Emiliy Farrell, Louie Bernardo, Herther R Hanly, Kathleen Watkins, Carl M Classon, Vanna Pichel, Katie Moyer, Renee Bea, Karen Anderson, Deassa Binstock, Holly Schneider and Erin Oconnor.

22 comments:

pibble said...

Don't worry, Simon knows you've reached your goal, and he's blessing it all the same. Congratulations! Oh, boy, it must feel goooooood!

If one wanted to visit, how would one go about doing so? I'm from CT and would love to plan a volunteer vacation...

Susan Cava Ruimy said...

What awesome news!!! Woohoo!!!

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! You guys should be so proud of yourselves for doing such a great job. I know all the pits out there are grateful for your time, love and assistance.. Keep up the awesome job!!

Team Swoll said...

Awesome!!!! Congrats!!! =)

Anonymous said...

There's no better way to start the day knowing you reached your goal for the barn and soon, it will be filled with deserving pibbles! Brought tears to my eyes and hope to my heart!! Thank you, thank you!!

Lynn in N.Cal

J.M. said...

Having donated in memory of my beloved pit bull,there`s no doubt in my soul that he`s looking down and smiling over this soon to be completed barn,so take comfort that Simon will be blessing it with his smile upon completion.

Dianne said...

It's such a joy to see Audie running on his new knees! Congrats on getting the fundraising done-- Chinese water torture is an apt description of the permits process. And then there's the punch list. But it will get done, and having Simon there in spirit will bless it.

Laine Bauer said...

WOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! This is such great news to such a mucky, rainy week, as well as a time when some great dogs have passed on.

Can't wait to see pictures of the barn when it's complete -- hope those signings don't take too long. Don't those officials know you have lives to save!?

goingnowhereslowly said...

Congratulations!

Rinalia said...

Congratulations times a million! I'm sure you can't wait for the permit process to be done with and start getting dogs in.

I'm glad you were able to honor Simon in that way. The ache is so painful, but at least he will always be there, one step away.

Unknown said...

I am terribly sorry about Simon. We all know how painful it is. Congratulations however on your major accomplishment. Thank you in advance on behalf of all the rescues you're about to house.
Twink!

Diane said...

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing info about how the project was funded. Heart-warming to know there are so many people who care about the breed. Glad to have contributed my part.

Do you have a write-up about how you plan to use the facility? Number of dogs, coming from where, how this will work with your foster program, etc?

Also, wondering if there will be volunteer opportunities there.

Anonymous said...

congrats! where is the barn being built? is it in Oakland? what help could we offer to help with the permit process?

Donna said...

anon 12:05 -- you don't happen to work in the city planning department do you? if yes, please holler!

Hi Diane - We outlined some of the uses the barn will fulfill here http://www.badrap.org/rescue/barnraising.html

Yes! we will need help, especially during times when we get in a larger batch of dogs. The numbers will fluctuate depending on who needs help, how much reliable volunteer help we have available and where the dogs are in their cycle. Ideally, they won't live in the barn longterm, but will be shuffled to foster homes after decompressing and being assessed for medical and training needs.

If you're local, stay tuned for announcements here on volunteer opportunities. Things will get busy as we head into spring. Thank you for asking!

RedheadJen said...

I am so excited for you guys and for all the pups that will be benfitting. Much love to BAD RAP and all you do.

Diane said...

Donna,

Thanks for the info! I am local! I was in Pit Ed last May with my dog Pia (black with white markings) and Tim's drop-in class from July-Oct. Pia was having health issues and her weight got very low. I still work with her every day but decided to take a break from class to get her healthy, get her weight up, and maintain for a while.

I am interested in volunteering. I will continue to monitor the site and will also check in with you when we return on Saturdays. I also hope to foster one day.

Diane; The Dog Diva said...

Congrats! This is happy news indeed! I can't wait to come out for a visit/volunteer shift!

Dianne said...

Well, I am not local but I'd come out for a week of voluntourism and help. I have friends in the Bay Area to visit, and now another excuse. Now, if all of the Dian(n)es show up at the same time...

Unknown said...

That's fantastic news! Can't wait for my trip north to see the finished barn. :)

Amazing what we can do together!

LORI

ingrid said...

wonderful wonderful news.
Thank you to everyone!

Kirsten said...

Excellent! Congrats to all :-D

Anonymous said...

I donated early on but my name wasn't on the list.(That's okay) I'm just glad you can continue to save even more Pibbles.Thank you for all the work you do. I'm sorry about Simon. His spirit lives on. I too lost a beloved dog this past holiday season. I miss Buddy so much. It's only been a month and it hurts still. Bless you all.