We raised lots of money and had a great time!
Our 2010 Strut Your Mutt fundraiser was a phenomenal success! Thanks to ESRA members and friends across the country, we raised over $26,000, money which our depleted treasury desperately needs. We had more than eighty people join our ESRA Dog Pack, and they were able to solicit donations from hundreds of others. Forty-three of our Dog Pack members, both adults and children, joined us on September 19 for the Strut and the festival at the Santa Monica pier on a cool, foggy southern California morning.
SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR A LINK TO OUR PHOTO ALBUM.
This experience was fun and rewarding for those who walked as well as for those who participated long distance. Here are some comments from our team members:
Honestly, it's the easiest fundraiser I've ever been a part of, and the pack members have been a joy to fundraise with. - Sloane Smith, Tennessee
One of the most fun things was watching the donations come in from people I never expected to help. For instance, the nursing school I teach at made a $200 donation . . . WOO! WOO! WOO! I never even thought they knew about my rescue efforts--I was so jazzed! - Caryn Pola, California
I have never been good with fundraising, but I set my goal for Strut your Mutt and had a lot of support from friends and other ESRA, Inc. members. I only wish I could have been there for the walk to meet all the wonderful ESRA volunteers. I hope my t-shirt arrives soon! - Karen Horton, Missouri
It was such a fun morning, and the feeling emanated that everyone was happy to be together and strutting with their Springers and Springer friends! Greeting everyone to sign in was a real pleasure. My fondest chuckle of the walk was little Queenie, who bounded up each of the stairsteps like a two-year-old, pulling me up behind her! I was so proud of my senior girl. All of the Springers and their friends were beautiful together, and what a joyous culmination of everyone's fundraising success! - Kathy Engberg, California
I found my fundraising experience for the Strut Your Mutt Best Friends Campaign to be personally rewarding and very heartwarming. It was neat to reconnect with some of my adopters of years past and very humbling when I received contributions and well wishes from them. Best part of all: my reconnecting with one of my 2005 adopters resulted in them signing up to be a foster home for ESRA! Although I was in Oregon on the day of the walk, I was there in spirit and, from afar, was very proud of my fellow ESRA members who participated in the walk. - Renee Holmes, California
I was amazed at how easy it was to ask for and receive donations. One person even said, "Thanks for including me and letting me help your dogs." Wow! The strut itself was so much fun. I loved being with my family and friends and interacting with all our beautiful Springers and honorary Springers. It was a great day for all of us! - Belle Sprague, California
How thankful I am for organizations like Best Friends and ESRA. I know the time and energy it takes for volunteers to come together for a cause, and both organizations' mission statements are genuine, compassionate, and service oriented! I am especially grateful for what this fundraiser has done for my two children, Michelle and Bryan. As you know, kids love animals, and oftentimes it is one of those dream jobs to be able to save and protect animals. Strut Your Mutt provides children with an avenue to act on their passions for animals, especially homeless animals. Michelle and Bryan's eyes lit up when they found out that they could be a part of making life easier and happier for dogs! The whole idea of having their own website with interactive tools really sparked a fire in them that they will never forget. Their first experience with public service and public fundraising was FANTASTIC because of Best Friends and ESRA! - Tricia Hyun, California
We got lots of good photos of the event, along with some pictures of long-distance Dog Pack members. Click the icon below to go to the photo album.
