Marion County Animal Shelter

My Christmas Project

I have just arrived home from something that I hope to make a new tradition: My Christmas Project. From now on every year at Christmas time I want to focus on giving, on making a difference and on giving hope to people who need it. In return I will receive a gift larger than will fit in any box. That will be the fleeting joy that one only gets to see when practicing random acts of kindness.

Of course the project began with a few people making donations of money, old towels, computers, some dog food, kitty litter, bleach, whatever they could afford or find. Before I know it checks were coming in the mail on a daily basis and friends were collecting for me. My friend Suzanne even offered up a day of her vacation to ride with me to the shelter…500 miles round trip.

Today was the day and I admit I was excited to get going. When Suzanne and I got on the road with Willow snoozing in between us I could not have felt better about what we were going to do. After a few stops in Columbia to pick up some more donations we finally arrived down in Marion. I had already been told that the shelter was not much more than a shack, so I was pleasantly surprised when I found more of a barn structure. I was prepared to be swept away by all the puppies and the kittens but what I was not prepared for was for my meeting with Jen Nall.

The truck as it was being unloaded - I forgot to take a picture before we unloaded

You see Jen is a 30 something woman who is doing what she can to make a difference. She left a desk job to pick up poop and save animals. I can totally relate to her. She is passionate about caring for all the animals that come into her shelter; she loves them and knows their stories and their names. She is not the typical jaded, tough woman one would imagine to have such a job. Jen is a different breed. On the e-mail I got from her it says “If you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem”. She is going to make a difference. Because I admire her, I am going to help her out when I can. I am going to encourage others to do the same. The only way we can accomplish bigger and better things is to help and support one another. Call it “girl power” or whatever you like but strong women with vision have the ability to create change.

Me with Jen after handing over what I had collected.

As we toured the facility and Jen told us the virtues of all the dogs and pointed out the polydactyl (5-toed) kittens that looked like they were wearing mittens. She showed us the pile of collars with chains attached to them that dogs had been dragging down the road. In the corner of her office sat a scared little dog near one of the lone heaters. A plastic bag full of matted hair was on Jen’s desk…just in case the owner should want their little dog back. The phone was constantly ringing, she answered that too. Then a few more people showed up, one with questions, some with more dogs for the already full shelter.

The very cute polydactyl kitten

People actually put a pad lock on their dogs collar!

We left so that Jen could get back to work. We left her with $1120 for vaccines, $75 worth of Wal-Mart gift cards, 3 computers, and a truck load of towels, toys, dog food and kitty litter. We tucked a few ounces of hope in there too.

On the drive home we reflected on what we had seen and as cute as all the animals were we both most impressed with Jen. Her enthusiasm, her determination and her spirit will make the Marion County Animal Shelter a facility that works.

Thanks to all of you who contributed and supported My Christmas Project. Through your generosity I was able to experience the true reason for the season.

Merry Christmas!