It takes a Village

As Bill Foundation enters it's eight year, we have noticed that the number of adoptions is very much up from this time last year which we credit to our hardworking volunteers, both returning and new. We could not have done this without the tireless efforts of these fabulous people. In past issues we have highlighted the contributions of our morning crew, office help and kennel caretakers. But this year has brought in so many new people; we thought it was time again to bring our newer volunteers, and a few old friends, once again into the spotlight.  Throughout the article are photos of many of our adoption fair volunteers with some very special rescues looking for homes, join us on Sunday and you may see a few familiar faces.

There would be no Bill Foundation without Daniel and Noreen. Both are highly experienced in animal rescue and are extremely active in Bill Foundation. You name it, they handle it. In the early years they wore many hats from dog care to fundraising. Now they concentrate most of their efforts on their first love, rescue. Both have fostered too many dogs to begin to count and have seen many of their fosters find their forever home. Daniel is on the adoption commitee and has pulled many dogs from the numerous L.A. Shelters for Bill Foundation.

Suzanne is also a long-time volunteer with Bill Foundation. She has also rescued, cared for and fostered many dogs for us. A creative photographer, she created for Bill Foundation a sensitive slideshow featuring the rescues on their journey to the Sunday Fairs. 

One of our newer volunteers is Tamar Love Grande who boards and fosters dogs for the Bill Foundation and Southern California Dachshund Rescue. She and her husband also run Wiener Wonderland Dachshund Day Care & Boarding from their Lake Balboa home. When she isn't caring for doggies, Tamar runs an editorial services company, Cranky Editor, which she founded in 1999.

Another new volunteer is Kelly had this to say, "My husband, Enrique, and I love dogs and really all animals.  We've had Otto (his full name is Otto Von Weinerschnitzel Lerma) since he was 6 weeks old, and he just turned 1 this month!  We adopted Morgan (his full name is Captain Morgan Von Schlafmutze Lerma) in December of 2007.  He also just turned 1 year old in January of this year.  We would love to foster dogs, but since we both work full-time, we just aren't home enough to care for more than our two kids!  So when we heard that the Bill Foundation needed help in other areas, we thought that would be a great way for us to get involved.  I put together and send out the monthly anniversary mailers and sometimes help Tamar put together the Adoptable Dog Books.  I'm also working on a spreadsheet that will show each dogs' vet, food, and boarding costs, etc.  Enrique also helps with all of the above.  We were married in October 2007 but have been together for almost 6 years." 

For those of you who haven't met her yet, we should probably introduce Nina, our new volunteer coordinator. As she puts it, "I'm helping out Debbie with coordinating the volunteers so her head doesn't explode. :)"  If you come on Sunday, she'll see you there!

You may remember Liz and Gary from a previous newsletter article on the BF morning crew. This dynamic duo along with Bog are the morning crew. All three have been with BF for years. Every Sunday, rain or shine, they help get things set -up and moving for the rescues' arrival at 10:30. There would be no Sunday fair without their caring help. Thanks.

Jenny and Mark, while new to Bill Foundation have made themselves invalueable. Ever notice the fantastic portrait photos of our rescues on the internet, they have graphic designer, Mark to thank. Since most of our adoptor interest is through our website, it is very important that our dogs' photos show them in the best light possible, capturing not only their irresistable cuteness but their inner personality and soul. It is these photos that they must capture the attention of their prospective pet parents. These are also the portraits that will later appear in our yearly Bill Foundation Yearbooks.

Analia is also a long time volunteer with Bill Foundation. A professional dog walker, she helps to transport our many rescues who reside in the Valley all the way to the Sunday fair in Beverly Hills.