CARIBOU – Members of the Caribou Pet Rescue recently received a donation from Advantage Payroll Services payroll specialist Kellie Chapman. Chapman had heard on the local news and through the Caribou Chamber of Commerce newsletter that the organization was desperate for funding in order to maintain its operation.
As a result, Chapman decided to challenge Advantage Payroll to provide some financial support for the organization by matching funds created by a weekly “dress-down” day at the office. Employees donated $5 per week for the privilege of wearing casual clothing at work, and after a few months, they had accumulated a significant amount of funds, which were in turn, matched by the Advantage Payroll office in Presque Isle.
According to Heidi Graham, vice president of operations for Advantage in Presque Isle, “These are difficult times for animal shelters, with local, state, and federal funding constantly being cut. Advantage is proud to be able to donate to such a worthy cause.”
The Caribou Pet Rescue is a non-profit organization that provides shelter for homeless animals. Not only do they provide a humane environment for these hapless animals, they also work with community members, volunteers, local businesspeople, classrooms, other pet rescue entities, animal health professionals, and homeland security professionals to educate and support the community in its relationships with animals.
Recently, Norma Milton stepped down as executive director of the Caribou Pet Rescue, and Roy Woods agreed to fill that position. Woods is currently the city of Caribou’s Fire Chief and Ambulance Director, as well as the city’s Emergency Management Director.
“Part of the city’s emergency plans includes sheltering for humans and pets. Because of the fact that sheltering plans are part of my job of EMA director, I agreed to serve as president until the annual meeting in February 2009,” said Woods.
His plans include expanding the hours the shelter is open and appointing a fulltime “shelter manager” to oversee daily operations of the shelter and staff. Woods will look at the creation of annual fund-raising events and finding a larger facility for the future. Currently, the Caribou Pert Rescue serves six communities and looks to increase the area they serve as the facility in which they are currently housed is much too small. Volunteer recruitment is also a top priority, as is partnership with Aroostook County Emergency Management and improvement of the current Web site (www.cariboupetrescue.net).
For more information about Caribou Pet Rescue, or to learn more about donating to this cause, please call (207) 498-3800. You can also send your donation to Caribou Pet Rescue, 6 Richards Road, Caribou, Maine 04736.
Contributed photo
ADVANTAGE PAYROLL SERVICES recently donated funds to the Caribou Pet Rescue. Advantage employees donated $5 per week for the privilege of wearing casual clothing at work, and after a few months, they had accumulated a significant amount of funds, which were in turn, matched by the Advantage Payroll office in Presque Isle. Pictured are, from left: Roy Woods, interim executive director of the Caribou Pet Rescue; Norma Milton, who recently stepped down from the post; and Advantage Payroll Services payroll specialist Kellie Chapman. The Caribou Pet Rescue is a non-profit organization that provides shelter for homeless animals.
