Week 89 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

                       We Are the World Now

Since the first week of January, 2020 the world has had a direct effect on our pleasant little neighborhood and right now we are having a direct effect on the world.

Last week Chase Bank presented #SHOW ME YOUR WALK, a Class of 2020 two-hour “commencement event featuring all-star speakers and musical guests.” https://hbcustudent.chase.com/

President Barack Obama gave a calm (I said calm) and reassuring commencement address that was inspirational to all those who heard his thoughts. Suggest you give it a listen. It’s only 7 minutes long. https://www.obama.org/celebrate-2020/?utm_source=crm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Commencement%20Roundup_051720

Our neighbor and Council Member Richard Fimbres wrote an op-ed on Sunday.

“In 2011, while we were still in the Great Recession, … I brought forward a proposal to have the city conduct its primary and general elections using an all vote-by-mail system, for which my colleagues on the council approved.

The city’s vote-by-mail election process has seen increased turnout across the city in each of the wards. People can vote without fear and in the comfort of their own homes.

This election system saves taxpayer money to the tune of $600,000 each election that Wards 3, 5 and 6 are in an election cycle and $1 million each election cycle for the mayor’s election and Wards 1,
2 and 4.

With the city of Tucson election process, the results are counted and tabulated that night, so we are not waiting an additional period of time for the final results.”

This is a wonderful advancement for voters’ rights and it also protects all of us from a killer virus. Yes, Tucson is leading the way for America to Vote-By-Mail. Read the entire op-ed here. https://tucson.com/opinion/local/councilman-fimbres-vote-by-mail-works-just-look-at-tucson/article_dbf913bc-838d-5f2d-b7fc-d9538c33010b.html

All the white stuff on his face, hands, plates and  utensils is simulated Corona Virus

To go from 0 simulated infection to YUCK took 30 minutes. Wait until you see the same stuff on his dinner guests. This is the reason the scientists are imploring folks to take hand washing and social distancing very seriously.

“The video experiment, conducted by the public broadcaster NHK Japan in conjunction with disease specialists, uses black light and a fluorescent substance to simulate how quickly germs can be spread across a variety of surfaces in environments such as restaurant buffets and cruise ships.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/15/how-coronavirus-spreads-in-restaurant-video

This week’s donation was 322.2 lbs. of pet food and a $25.00 check. In addition, there were 28 pill bottles, 1 bag of Blue treats, and 1 dog treat.

See you Sunday,

Peter

Week 88 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

Finally, a Toy Fit for Man and Beast

Tater made quick work of her new toy while my neighbor and friend, Christina, stood nearby delighted by her puppy’s aggressive antics. Enlarge to fully appreciate the interspecies glee.

This week’s donation was 254.8 lbs. of pet food and $55.00 in two checks. In addition, there were 4  pill bottles and 1 bag of Blue treats.

See you Sunday,

Peter

Week 87 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,
                          Best Week Ever!

Nearly had to take an aerial shot to capture all the food we donated to PACC this week. Our average cash collection is $143.95. Tallying all special event monies Sunday like paying ahead before leaving on summer vacation, and a rather large friend donation, we collected $291.35 which turned into 564 lbs. of dog and cat food once I checked out of Walmart.

In addition, we had $30 in two checks, 4 pill bottles, 2 boxes of qt. zip lock bags and 1 box of gal. zip lock bags.

See you Sunday,

Peter

Week 86 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

“Where Does The Cash Go?”

Terri, my friend and neighbor on 12^th Street, asked me to explain where all of the cash goes. Each week she sees the food, the checks and the other stuff, but she was wondering about the cash I collect. Terri donates dollars each and every week and has for years.

“It’s hidden in all those huge bags of Purina Dog and Cat food,” I said.

PACC buys pet food at 90 cents per pound. In the beginning, I turned in all the cash. Then I learned Walmart sells quality, brand name pet food for about 50 cents per pound. And since food volume is essential in pet rescue, I go shopping at Walmart right after my rounds on Sunday.

On average, we collect $143.95 in cash each week which translates to many, many 50 lbs. bags of dog food at $24.95 each (includes tax). The cost per pound, 49.9 cents. Cat food comes in 30 lb. bags and costs 59.9 per pound.

PACC asks for more dog food than cat food because way more dogs than cats are in need of rescue.

So if you are in doubt of what to donate, cash, a Walmart gift card or basic change will do. Your donation will be turned into food before the sun goes down on Sunday.

Note on the process side, Walmart’s self-checkout machines are perfect for charities. They take change, bills, cards and there’s never an impatient customer behind you.

This week’s donation was 286.3 lbs. of pet food and one $50.00 check. In addition, there were 3 pill bottles and a bag of Bully Bite treats.

One Can A Week ... Alive and Well

in New Jersey

In 2011, when Hannah Kaplan (pictured on the right) was 6-years-old, she and her dad, Ari, began their One Can A Week program. Amazingly, it is 9 years later and their program is still going strong.

Hannah is now 15-years-old and still relishes helping folks and keeping records. https://onecanaweek.blogspot.com/2013/09/246th-week-update-miles-neighborhood.html

If you followed the link above, you saw a photo of Hannah’s record keeping acumen. She was 8 then. Since persistence is one of the keys to a very productive life, I can tell you that Hannah is going to be a most important person.

If you followed the link above, you saw a photo of Hannah’s record keeping acumen. She was 8 then. Since persistence is one of the keys to a very productive life, I can tell you that Hannah is going to be a most important person.

See you Sunday,

Peter

Week 85 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

Lots of room at the PACC Inn The stories are true, more than 75% of the animals at PACC are in foster care around Tucson. Also cash and food donations are up. Just look at and perhaps study the two photos below. Notice that there are no doggy shadows on the floor for the entire line of cages. And now only the food and treats are held prisoner.

Maybe it’s time for you to think about fostering or adopting a pet. This covid-19 situation is not going away soon so adding a four-legged, tail wagging friend to your family will definitely help you focus on what has to be done to get through this life-altering predicament.

PACC Foster Care – https://webcms.pima.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=215125 PACC Adoptions – https://webcms.pima.gov/community/animalcare/petadoptions/ There really is an easy way to remove a label from a pill bottle No matter how may videos you view on YouTube, the glue still sticks to the bottle. Hair dryers, vinegar, boiling water, they just don’t work. What does work is spread out before you. Cloth strips, preferably sweat shirt or thin dish towel material. Clean dry rag. Bottle of GOO GONE. Plastic bag to protect the table top. Small container to hold the soaking strips. Rubber gloves, recommended by GOO GONE. STEPS Cut up strips the width of the different size pill bottles. Three or four inches is a good length. Pour a little GOO GONE in the container. Dip the strips in the container. Wrap a strip around a pill bottle completely and place it on its side for 10 minutes or so. Wrap the rest of the pill bottles and place them on their sides. Gloves on again, unwrap the bottles and easily peel off the label. Wipe off the glue and GOO GONE residue with a clean rag. Place the pill bottles in a plastic bag and put them near the front door for Sunday pickup. Ed's Stash is helping jobless folks in the neighborhood get by Delivered two envelopes to my friend Ed this week and that cash went to help folks buy diapers and food for the dinner table. Also. Ed’s neighbor a few doors down pitched in this week. There’s not much to think about. If you have a little extra cash and you want to make a real difference, drop your donation off to Ed on Miles Street. He has the iconic white lawnmower displayed in his front yard. Or I can make the deliver for you. This week’s donation was 346.4 lbs. of pet food and $55.00 in two checks. In addition, there were 27 non-sticky pill bottles. See you Sunday, Peter

Week 84 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

Quiet in the neighborhood and quiet at PACC, but lots of giving energy

More often than not, it takes me a good two hours and then some to make my Sunday rounds. Friendly neighbors and a little chit chat fills the time. However, the last two weeks with stay-at-home in full force, my job is over in an hour or so. Everybody is concentrating on social distancing.

Then on Monday, after punching in the gate code, I have to park and go to the reception area to find someone to open the pet food room. Few words are spoken.

No matter, we’re still doing our job and providing a great deal of food for PACC. That’s what is important and oh, staying safe.

This week’s donation was 306.2 lbs. lbs. of pet food and a $25.00 check. In addition, there was a travel pet bowl, a large dog collar and a box of 75 quart zip bags.

See you Sunday,

Peter

Week 83 - Rescued Critters Food Drive

Hi Folks,

With Six Months to Go, 

We Only Need 1,434.1 lbs.

to Beat Last Year's Goal

We donated 8,194.0 lbs. of food to PACC in our first year. We just completed our second quarter of our second year and we have already donated a whopping 6,759.9 lbs. With everything going on in the world, PACC is experiencing a significant increase in the number of pets falling under its care. We are really helping PACC meet this new challenge.

SECOND QUARTER WEEKLY RESULTS

Thank you very much, you are making a huge difference in pet rescue in Tucson.

Meet Oscar, Our New Friend at PACC

That’s Oscar and our food is on either side of the room

 … cat food on the right and dog food on the left. 

This week there were no sentries when I drove up to the gated entrance to PACC, only a sign with phone numbers to call. I tried one and was told to leave a message and I would be called back in 24 – 48 hours.

The parking lot was nearly empty and there were only a few people moving between the Clinic and Adoption Center doors some 50 yards away. What to do?  I needed time to think anyway, so I just sat there hoping to catch someone’s attention. About l0 minutes in to this quandary, a staffer in a red PACC shirt saw me and walked across the parking lot and up to gate. His name was Oscar and he was not aware of our weekly deliveries and that the food is now stored in the conference room, but he was obliging.

I began to unload the truck and by the time I got the first wheel barrow load to the conference room, Oscar had opened the doors from the inside. Then he was off to do other things. Two wheel barrow trips later he was back and we stopped to chat and take a photo.

I learned that the staff has been divided into essential and non-essential, with Bennett, our old friend and contact, falling on the latter list. Is he okay? Does he need income? I need his personal contact information, can you get that for me?

I could see Kristen, the executive director on an animated video conference call near the Adoption Center doors so she could not be disturbed. Oscar said he would talk to her about our conversation and get me the information I requested.

After climbing back into the cab and shutting the door, I sat for a few minutes contemplating what just happened. This virus things is really closing in on everyone. Then I remembered the lady who interrupted our chat in the conference room. She had a stray pup she brought to PACC and she wanted someone to take care of the dog immediately. My first thought was she must have tailgated someone through the security gate.

Oscar told her she has to call to make an appointment as the sign on the gate states. She became more instant telling us she drove a long way to get to PACC.

“This is a crisis, and a very dangerous situation,” I interjected through my red mask. “You must leave and call for an appointment to keep everyone safe.”

“I guess this is how it has to be,” she replied as she turned and left the conference room. I apologized to Oscar for jumping in on the conversation but he didn’t mind.

People have been living this dilemma for weeks now and they still only think of themselves. That, too, is dangerous.

Ready to leave, I put the truck in gear and then I saw Oscar signal to me to wait a minute. As he got close he told me through my open window that Kristen was still on the call but he gave all of my info to her assistant who will contact me soon with Bennett’s information.

As I wound up the driveway and drove through the electrical gate to the stoplight I was already thinking about what might happen next week. Well, at least I now have Oscar to help me through whatever comes up because he’s on duty every Monday.

This week’s donation was 324.9 lbs. lbs. of pet food and $35.00 in two check. In addition, there was 1 small pet bowl and 1 dog collar.

Our cash donation is no longer handed directly to a CSR on a computer who issues a receipt. The money is now placed in an envelope with our account number on it and given to the person who checks me in. (See clipboard above.) Haven’t received an official receipt yet for our last donation, but that may happen soon since Oscar will intervene for us.   

Be Safe and See you Sunday,

Peter