What Is Upstate NY Sandy Paws?
Upstate NY Sandy Paws started as a grass-roots group of Upstate New York dog clubs and their fellow-animal lovers joining together to assist animals in need in areas hard hit by hurricane Sandy.
Our highest priority was to provide immediate assistance to reputable animal rescue groups already on the front lines trying to save as many animals as they can. As we move forward, our efforts are now evolving into planning a fund-raiser to meet critical needs of both 4 and 2 legged victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Our first donation provided dog food, beds, blankets and supplies to a New Jersey dog rescue group. Our second donation provided a generator to a dog rescue group that already had donations of food but need the security and warmth of their own generator. Most recently, a carload of supplies on the wish list of volunteers cleaning homes in Staten Island was delivered to a "pop-up" volunteer center on the south shore and included such 2 legged items as cough drops, matches, headlamps, bandannas, candles and assorted cleaning supplies.
We do the shopping here, using the recipient's wish list so they can focus on their recovery. It makes the donation more personal, lets us bargain hunt, and opens a channel to bring in supplies that are in short demand.
Mohawk Valley KC is the point club but we are united with our sister clubs and a growing list of business in the Capital District area in one purpose, to help our downstate neighbors in areas impacted by hurricane Sandy.
We're different from large organizations. Here's how:
Responsiveness
We contact the people we're donating to to make sure we're spending our money on
what they actually need, not what we think they need. If they're buried in donations of dog food or clothing, we find out what they DO need to make sure we've solving a problem, not adding to one.
Networking
We have no qualms about reaching out to the community to make our limited funds go as far as possible.
Accountability
Once the supplies are loaded, we drive down to personally deliver the donation and meet our new friends!
Wherever possible donors know where their money went, what it was used for, and recipients know who cared enough to help them. We give a hug, we get a hug, take a picture or two if they don't mind. If all goes well, we end up with a new FaceBook friend or two!