AR-News: (NY) Humane society asks community to help make a difference

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http://www.littlefallstimes.com/articles/2003/10/25/news/news2.txt

MOHAWK — Make A Difference Day is the national day of helping others, a 
celebration of neighbors helping neighbors.

Created by USA Weekend, Make A Difference Day takes place on the fourth 
Saturday of October. Millions have participated in the annual event since it got 
its start, caring enough about their home community to volunteer on that day and 
help accomplish thousands of projects in hundreds of towns.

Make a Difference Day can be used to give an extra push to an ongoing 
volunteer activity or as an occasion to start volunteering by doing something as 
small as cleaning up an elderly neighbor's lawn, organizing an effort to repair a 
park, visiting lonely, institutionalized kids or joining someone else's 
project.

The next Make A Difference Day event is this Saturday and the Herkimer County 
Humane Society is hoping that the young and old, individuals and groups alike 
will help them carry out a project that not only helps others, but animals as 
well.

The shelter located on Route 5S in Mohawk is looking for volunteers to walk 
dogs, groom, bath and brush the animals in its care and play with the cats this 
Saturday from noon-4 p.m.

"If a person does not want to get directly involved with the animals there 
are other things they can do like help wash the windows or do a load of 
laundry," Humane Society Board of Trustees President Dottie Gaffey said. "We are 
looking for people who are willing to lend a hand. Any help will be appreciated." 

Staff and shelter volunteers will help with the activities.

"This is the fifth or six year that we have celebrated Make a Difference Day 
at the shelter and we hoping everyone will come out and enjoy a nice fall 
day," Gaffey said. "If for no other reason come out and visit with the animals. 
They are always excited to have visitors."

An open house is planned as part of Saturday's activities to celebrate the 
humane society's 90th anniversary. The open house will include refreshments and 
entertainment for children such as pumpkin decorating and poster making. The 
posters will be hung at the shelter.

Tours of the shelter will also be available for those who have not visited it 
before.

"We just wanted to provide some fun things for our volunteers to do after 
they lend a hand," Gaffey said.

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, Gaffey said, and people are encouraged 
to visit the Herkimer County Humane Society to see all the wonderful dogs and 
cats that are available for adoption. Older animals in need of homes can be 
fostered without a fee.
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