There are not enough words to describe the success of this year’s Santa Photos and Raffle Basket participation…

This was the year of ‘firsts’ for the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter. This season, Mix 106.5 and presenting sponsor, Camp Bow Wow, partnered with all of the homeless dogs and puppies at our Shelter to help raise donations for the Dick Goddard Best Friends’ Medical Relief Fund, which provides medical care for sick and injured pooches that found their way here. Jen B. and Mix 106.5 rallied around and donated so much to our success, such as: a backdrop, photo frames, directional signs and goodie bags for the families. Camp Bow Wow in Strongsville also donated a basket for the raffle. Jay Hudson from Mix 106.5 made a guest appearance December 5th, enjoying the dog-loving crowd.

This year, the Shelter was visited by two Santas, Jim C. and Tom G.. Jim and Tom have never played Santa to pooches before and they both walked away with many new four-legged friends and a lot of smiles. A special Thank You is extended to the new photographers and crew. Kelly W. and Laura B. took amazing pictures of an overwhelming 181 families over the four sessions! Also making this possible were Donna W. and Hanna U., wonderful volunteers who ran the behind-the-scenes for Kelly and Laura, running the printers and making the dogs focus. Barb F. was in charge of registering the families and keeping order. Santa Photos would not have been possible if not for the benevolence of these compassionate individuals. Mr. Dick Goddard also joined the fun this year. His support over the years is always appreciated and he too joined Santa for a photo shoot.

The volunteers who showed up and helped for Santa Photos, whether combing the county for donations, or helping set up chairs the day of, treated our guests with delicious food, and assisted with all the behind the scenes activities, I would like to extend my thanks. For all who participated, you understand how crowded it was, but most of all how exciting it was to see the many pooches join in the festivities. Thank you Carol T., who spent countless hours selling raffle tickets and 2011 calendars and to Anita, who was hostess with treats for the dogs. A special Thank You to Lesley D. and Aldo M. for helping run around making sure Santa’s helpers were stocked with supplies. Aldo also supplied the public with fresh popcorn as a snack to fill their bellies while waiting for Santa.

This was also the first time in our Shelter’s history that the public helped raise the most donations for the Best Friends’ Fund ever, between the donations for the photos and the raffle baskets! I cannot express the feeling of seeing many of our former ‘residents’ come visit with loving families; there were many medically needy dogs and puppies who got their second chance with the help of the Best Friends’ Fund. To know that there are families who love their four-legged friends so much to bring them in and dress them up in holiday gear for a photo with Santa to support the homeless dogs in your community is remarkable!

Don’t forget to vote for your favorite pet in the Mix 106.5 Pet Photo Contest. Click here and cast your vote now!

Thank you to all of the following companies and individuals who donated for the Raffle Baskets:

  • Camp Bow Wow in Strongsville
  • Panera in Seven Hills
  • Penn Station East Coast Subs in Brooklyn
  • Valley View Cinemark
  • Improv Comedy Club & Restaurant
  • Debra A Cavanaugh
  • Hickory Acres Meats of Oberlin LLC
  • Brew Kettle
  • Anthony Amato Salon
  • LifeWorks of Southwest General
  • Pets Supplies Plus in Brooklyn
  • Lilly Handmade Chocolates
  • The Mutt Hutt
  • Invisible Fence
  • Northcoast Knives
  • Red Cedar Coffee
  • Hobalt Health Foods
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Cleveland Indians
  • The Grateful Dog Bakery
  • Macedonia Veterinary Clinic
  • Hippy Dog Organic Treats & Accessories

To all the people who helped, volunteers, sponsors, donators, the local community, not only do we as humans say ‘Thank You’, but the looks from countless dogs do also. Just know that your immeasurable kindness will help the injured, medically fragile, abused, neglected, and sometimes just unwanted four-legged canines who keep us going everyday.

Sincerely,
Kara Archer

There are only two days left to get your pooches’ picture taken with Santa!!! Santa will be at the Shelter Sunday, December 5th and Sunday, December 12th from 10am until 4pm both days to greet the pooches who have been good this year. Mix 106.5’s Jay Hudson will also participate in the festivities on December 5th and Cleveland’s weatherman, Dick Goddard, will be closing out Santa Photos on December 12th. He’ll be here from 2pm until 4pm on the 12th.

For a $20 donation, your family will receive two pictures with holiday card frames of your pooches and Santa. If you prefer digital memories, for $5 extra the Santa photos will be emailed to you. And don’t forget about the Raffle Baskets, stuffed with goodies for both human and canines alike. ALL proceeds from the photos and raffle go directly to the Dick Goddard Best Friend’s Medical Relief Fund that provides medical care for sick and injured dogs and puppies at the shelter who would not normally have been able to receive the extra care they need.