Pitch in for PAWS

The holidays are always a time for giving back to those in need. Food pantries receive some of their highest donations of the year, toy & coat drives are abundant and bell ringers for the Salvation Army are outside of almost every store. But there’s one important group that tends to be left out of the conversation and they’re some of our best friends…our pets! If people are in need, chances are their pets need some help too.

PAWS Chicago, a state-of-the-art no-kill shelter, is dedicated to ensuring those in need are able to keep their pets in tough times. This is a cause close to my heart since I’m a huge animal lover, occasional PAWS Chicago volunteer and owner of two adopted cats. One of my cats, Jacques, became part of my family for this exact reason. In 2008 at the height of the economic crisis, his previous owners could no longer care for him and they had no choice but to put him up for adoption.  For them, I’m sure it was the toughest decision they had to make and it’s something I hope I never have to face.

If you know someone who is facing foreclosure, unemployment or other financial crises and they have a beloved furry friend at home, they can receive help to keep their pet. Enter the PAWS Chicago Pet Food Bank. Providing pet food & supplies such as cat carriers, dog collars & leashes, cat boxes & litter, as well as vouchers so their pets can receive free spay/neuter surgeries. The Pet Food Bank is meant to provide temporary support for 3-6 months to those in need. Everything at the Pet Food Bank is provided through generous donations from the community & supporters.

How can you help? Well I’m glad you asked! The Pet Food Bank accepts donations of pet food (canned and dry) & supplies every day at the PAWS Chicago Adoption Center!

-Alex Chwastek

Tags: charity, coat drive, community, donations, financial crisis, foreclosure, help out, holidays, paws Chicago, pet food, Pet Food Bank, pet supplies, pets, salvation army, supporters, toy drive, unemployment

National Donut Day Started in Chicago!

Tags: billy dec, charity, chicago, donation, donut, dunkin donuts, james r. thompson centter, krispy kreme, meals on wheels, national donut day, rations, salvation army, soldiers, war, world war 1

"Bachelorette" Jillian Harris & Billy Dec TweetNMeet Fundraiser Party to Benefit Haiti

Sounds random I know- long story short- my buddy jillian & I had a tweetnmeet party set for our twitter followers this Saturday- many friends on twitter and facebook asked me to use my network, venues, ideas,… whatever I could, to host a fundraising event fast to immediately help victims in Haiti. I quickly proposed to jillian that we turn our tweetnmeet into a fundraiser- not only to raise money quick, but to work with our network to call people to action fast- it was a no brainer for both of us- and its on-

We are hosting our tweetnmeet/fundraiser event this Saturday January 16th at rockit Wrigley (3700 n clark) to benefit the redcross/haiti. drinks & apps on us from 9-10p where we are asking for $20 minimum at the door. If can’t make it early, of course come when can, donations accepted until we close at 2am. Info & rsvp at info@rockitwrigley.com

If can’t come at all, please spread the word any way you can, as that’s half the battle, and try to make a donation to any of the many other options that exist out there. I have pulled together some suggeestions off my facebook, twitter & the internet- sure there are way more out there- but hopefully this is a good start- thanks all- and good luck-

The American Red Cross has set up a text message donation account enabling anyone in the US to text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the recovery effort. The fully deductible donation will be billed to your mobile phone account.

YELE.ORG or text ‘YELE’ to ’501501′ and a donation will be made and charged to your cell phone bill

American Red Cross redcross.org; 800-RED-CROSS

CARE care.org; 800-521-CARE

Catholic Relief Services  crs.org; 800-736-3467

Operation USA  opusa.org; 800-678-7255

Salvation Army  salvationarmyusa.org; 800-SAL-ARMY

U.S. Fund for UNICEF  unicefusa.org; 800-FOR-KIDS

World Vision  worldvision.org; 866-280-6587

Le passage fri 1/15 6p-9p accepting donations of all kinds, buddy joel barnes donating tips at bar too

Saturday at 7pm. Let’s buy every bottle of water in the Chi and bless our brothers and sisters in Haiti. 2950 W Washington. 7pm (Boys and Girls Club of Chicago)

Soul Veg (chicago) is collecting non-perishable vegan food clothing etc. 4 Haiti humanitarian relief call 773 224 0104

@ChicagoRedCross fundraising effort in your Chicago home/business for #Haiti, contact 312-729-6120 / ChicagoFD@usa.redcross.org

@WholeFoodsCHI Whole Foods Market Chicago If you are looking to support a local group helping with Haiti earthquake relief, please… http://bit.ly/6DMwCX

@MonicaGaspard: ATTN CHICAGO: Relief efforts for Haiti local changed to the LEVY CENTER 7:30p 300 Dodge Ave Evanston anybody wanna go?

@gslivingston: Save Haiti! Press Conf. & Prayer Vigil – Today @ 5pm RainbowPUSH Headquarters – 930 E. 50th Street, Chicago

Tags: american red cross, bachelorette, boys and girls club chicago, care, chicago red cross, disaster relief, earthquake, facebook, fundraiser, haiti, jillian harris, le passage, levy center, operation usa, rainbow push, rockit wrigley, salvation army, soul veg, twitter, unicef, whole foods, world vision, yele