NORWICH – During the month of December any donation to the Chenango SPCA will be matched by the annual Save A Life fundraiser sponsored by the Staffworks Fund from Nov. 30 to Dec. 31.

During this year's donation drive that is themed: “Give the Gift of Life,” Staffworks will match every donation, dollar-for-dollar during December, up to $10,000 to the animal shelter. Once the amount is reached, Staffworks still donates an additional $1,000 for every $5,000 raised.

With limited visitation and an inability to hold regular fundraising events, the Chenango County SPCA has relied on regular community donors and savings to cope with the ongoing pandemic said Executive Director Annette Clarke.

The money raised will be used to provide the no-kill shelter with things like food, medicine, and other supplies to keep the animals happy and healthy.

“It's not just food, we use 70,000 pounds of litter a year. We go through about 1,500 rolls of paper towels a year,” said Clarke. “The shelter costs $1,000 a day to run between supplies, staff, and overhead costs like heat and electricity.”

Shelter Manager Kathy Wyder said that in order to cope with health regulations the SPCA was hosting visitors by appointment only during their regular hours. She also said all volunteers had been temporarily suspended from helping out during the pandemic and that she and other staff had stepped up to do more.

Clarke thank the community for its support during the pandemic.

“It just helps in so many ways, and it makes a difference in what we can do,” said Clarke.

She said many had responded to the SPCA's call for donations, including regular and new donors.

According to the organizations website, the mission of the Staffworks Fund is supporting non-profit organizations that take care of at-risk animals. Since 2014 the fund has raised 1.25 million dollars for non-profit organizations that serve at-risk animals in upstate New York. This year there are 29 organizations participating.

A representative said through December 31, all donations made to 39 participating animal welfare organizations—including the Chenango SPCA —will be matched. If those groups reach $10,000 the foundation will match it and then donate $1,000 for every additional $5,000 in donations, with an extra $2,000 when they reach $100,000 in donations. That’s a $30,000 potential for each participating organization, they said.

 

In 2019, more than $1.8 million was raised for 29 nonprofit organizations!

Donations can be made by visiting the CSPCA website at chenangospca.org. You can also call or mail in a donation by contacting 334-9724 for more information.