The Little Committee that Could

Well, we did it.   And then some.  Thanks to you amazing, giving, compassionate, kitty and cat loving  folks, we were able to pool our funds and reach an astonishing total.   As it stands, we're at an incredible $66,104.25.   There's still money trickling too, so expect that total to rise a hair.  

Last year, we ended up just under $49,000 and the previous year, just over $23,000 so when you add that all together, we have raised over $138,000 for homeless cats and kittens in the past three years!    

That is SO much money.  SO much.

You are all so amazing, and I hope you understand how much your  love, commitment and support means to me.    Everyone at the shelter appreciates you so much too - they were all completely blown away by all that you gave.   During Dog-A-Thon, I heard so many nice words from the staff and volunteers. They were all so touched by your generosity - many moved to tears by it.    There's a very special and dedicated group of people working at the HS who care SO much about their shelter and the animals they care for .  You supporting the Humane Society means so much to them.

So, thank you for everything.

Thank you for giving so much, for posting our links,  telling your friends about the blog,  and asking them to donate.  Thanks for leaving nice comments and sending lovely and encouraging notes.   Thank you for caring and helping in so many ways.   Most of all, thank you for being so dedicated to the animals.

There are a few folks I would like to give a special shout out to...

TEAM IBKC - (Sarah, Shana, Katherine, and Cora)  Thanks for bringing in all those dollars that help put us OVER THE TOP this year! You ladies are awesome, and I appreciate all you do for the cats and kittens at the HS.

Marguerite - Thanks for always being so helpful, fielding all my questions, and bringing us cake when we  met our goal!

G - Thanks for lending your ear and giving support before, during and  after the fundraiser.  I appreciate your expertise so much.

Sue - Thank you for being the dear, supportive friend that you ALWAYS are.

Craig - Thanks for being such a sweet and supportive husband. Thank you for never complaining when other parts of our life got put on the back-burner during the fundraiser. Thank you too for the beautiful paintings you made, and gave. xoxoxo


Our auction winners - I know many of you had made donations already, and I appreciate your generous bids so much!  You all went above and beyond!


Our auction donors - A HUGE thank you to all the awesome artists who donated work to our fundraising auction:  Mari Voipio, Matte Stephens, Vivienne Strauss, Jay Bryant, Craig Miller, Patti Kahler, Jamie Shelman, Anne Bryant, Marianne Sao and Deborah Crump, Alicia and Tony of Chroma Lab, Jeane Gallo, Michaela Eaves, Annette Hicks, Hey Pais,  Amy Sprouse, Chloe and Boo,  Julie Kangas,  Betty Johnson, Eternal Knights Chainmail, Equos Designs, Julie Jackson , Modern Cat Studios , and Alexis Balkowitsch.     


And, of course, our dear friend Cynthia.

Honestly, I cant even begin to thank you for all that you have contributed to this fundraiser.   I appreciate your enthusiasm and generous spirt, your awesome sense of humor, creativity and your kitty-loving heart.  You gave in so many ways, and inspired many others to do the same.    We appreciate you so much.   We would of fallen way short of our goal without your generous donations.  

And Now, The Numbers:

Grand Total = $66,104.25

Online donations = $55,232.38

Offline donations = $936.64

Paypay donations = $150

Auctions and Art Sales = $8140.61

Team IBKC donations (Sarah, Shana, Cora, and Katherine's donations) = $1644.62

And our designated donation days:

Senior Cats (two days) $6759.43

Foster Program $3208.31

Emergency Food Bank = $2908.44

Spay and Neuter = $3204.03

We had a total of 926 donations averaging $59.65 per donation. 

Last year, there were a total of 880 donations. The average donation  was $42.59.  

Pretty outstanding, don't you think?  Honestly, I couldn't be prouder of us.    

Nice work, friends.

OK, are you ready?  

GROUP HUG!  

 Marguerite at the HS put a nice little video together of Dog-A-Thon, and as soon as it goes public, I'll share with you.  There's a nice little message to the community at the end, and an appearance by "Kisses" the kitten.  Stay tuned! 

That's it for now.  I'll be back later and show you what those darling Batsels are up to.  Also, a few more Dog-A-Thon pics.  

Thank you beautiful people.  I love you.

xoxo

How Much and Who Won!

I'm still working on a mega-post complete with a gushing love note to you,  Dog-A-Thon report, and lots of stats.     

The way the day is going, I don't think I'll be able to wrap it up before the day is out, so I thought I would share with you a couple of important bits.. our grand total and the raffle winners! 

SO, with online donations,  off-line donations, art sales and auctions we brought in a whopping

$66,077.25

Mind-blowing, isn't it? 

Oh, yes it is.  

First, the winner of the Charlene watercolor by Craig is: 

Hilary Franklin 

Hilary, please send me an email and let me know what your mailing address is so we can send off your painting!  kittywrangler(at)gmail(dot)com

The following lucky folks will get to name a kitten from our next litter!  Once the next litter arrives, we will assign the kittens to the following:

Sarah Proudfit Robyn King Kara Dixon Leora Byras Mari Voipio CONGRATS TO ALL!!   And thanks again to EVERYONE!!! xoxo Laurie WOOT!!!

  

Let's Walk!

Well, today is the day! Team IBKC will  be heading out to Ft Steilacoom Park shortly to attend Dog-A-Thon. All you Tacomans, please join us!  It's a fun event, and it's not ALL about the dogs.  It's about all the homeless pets.    You can read more about the event HERE.

We'll be carrying signs, and wearing matching tee-shirt too (kind of dorky, I know) so we'll be easy to spot should you chose to join us.

Today is officially the last day of FUNdraising.  So, if you were thinking about making a donation but haven't done so yet,,, now's the time!

As it stands, we're about $675 from reaching $55,000.  I'm really hoping we'll hit $55 squillion before the day is out.    

Thanks so much for such an awesome five weeks of FUNdraising.

 xoxo  We love you.

SEE YOU AT DOG-A-THON!!

Little Visitors

We had a couple of little visitors this morning.  Opal and her little brother, Ellis, came over to see the kittens.  Opal also wanted to bring by her annual donation.



First, they met Geraldine and Phoebe who were bouncing around the living room.  Both girls have had experience with little ones, and did very well with Ellis and Opal.



Ellis was as entertained by the kitten toys as he was by the kittens.

Next, we went into the guest room to meet the Batsels.  Everyone came out to say hello, but Clifford was the  most comfortable.   Opal claimed "MOM, he wants to come home with me".    I have to admit, he was quite happy in her arms.





We had a nice visit, and before Opal left, she gave the kittens her donation.   She brought four quarters, four nickels, four dimes, and four pennies for the kitties.

That's from her very own piggy bank, too

.

Bless your generous little soul, Opal.

"Community"

These past five weeks have been amazing, and when I look at where our total stands, honestly, I can hardly believe my eyes.   We're closing in on $52,000.    I am so proud of us.   We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for caring and giving so much.  It's a remarkable, beautiful thing.   

When I started this blog nearly four years ago, it was just about finding homes for our kittens.  The thought of people outside the Tacoma/Seattle area following the blog never really entered my mind.   

Slowly but surely,  we picked up new readers from around the world, a community started to grow around it, and it started to become something else.    I can hardly believe where we are and what we are today.   

I think for many the IBKC is a bright, happy place to visit each day. It's a quick break from your own reality.  Because of that, I  try hard to keep it light, feel-good, and free of snarky remarks and any negativity. 

On the blog I try to create a genuine and real experience similar to an actual visit with a litter of kittens where you check your baggage at the door, forget your woes, and just witness and enjoy their joy.

I feel like this blog is a place that you can come to and feel a part of.  I know many of you are deeply invested  in the lives of these kittens.  You're  happy when a new litter arrives and you cry when they leave.    

You've connected with people here that share your same passions.  You've made acquaintances, and dear friends too.  

So if you're asking why should I give to a shelter outside my community?  Well, this is your community.     And you're helping the shelter that's in the heart of it.  The animals you are helping, you know.   

Even though we have passed our mighty goal, I'm dedicated to seeing this through to the end, and I'm hoping you'll stick with me. 

I've seen first-hand our money put to work and the good things that have happened because of it.   I know that if we can bring in a little more, we can help that much more.  

I'm not asking any who have given,  to give more.  I would just like to ask those who have been thinking about giving,  and are in a position to give,  to please to give now.     

Big or small,  whatever you can do.   

Every donation matters because when we pool all of our money together, we can do huge things and make big changes.  

As you know, when we're all done with this FUNdraiser,  we'll be raffling off the naming rights to a kitten from our upcoming litter, and one lucky donor will receive this prize.   

 I've decided to sweeten the pot a bit.   

For every squillion that comes in today,  I'll be offering up naming rights to another kitten for the raffle.     

AND to make things sweeter yet,  one VERY lucky donor will be the recipient of this lovely watercolor painting of  Charlene Butterbean by my dear husband, Craig.   It will be matted and framed and ready to hang on your wall!  

  

Every donation made during the fundraiser  is an entry, and when everything wraps up tomorrow, we'll randomly select our winners, and then announce them on Monday.  

Thank so much for all the love and support.  We'll never be able to fully express how much it means to us.     You are very special people, and I'm grateful to have you in my life.   Thank you for all you do and all that you've given.   Thank you for being here every single day.   You all are awesome. 

xoxo 

Laurie

Now, one more time.  

To make a tax-deductible donation, please pay a visit to FUNdraising page! 

Charlene Buttercream

Shortly after we rolled past FIFTY SQUILLION, while we were still dancing in the living room, Marguerite from the Humane Society surprised us with treats for humans and felines too!

Check it out!  She brought us a BEAN cake!!






The Dearborns, yes, that's right,  Geraldine and Phoebe,  were more excited by the decorations on the package than the cake. Of course they were, feather wands are FUN.



After they grew bored of the feather wands, they moved on to  their very favorite plume,  Butterbean's tail.






SO, what are  Phoebe and Geraldine doing here?   Well, they're  here for one last shift on the phones, of course.   Sure we reached our goal, but we're committed to two more days of FUNdraising, and we're hoping to squeak out a few more squillions if we can. And I think we can do it.
 

In All This Excitement, I Almost Forgot!

 

We've got another auction up!    Jump in and place your bid!!  The winner gets to name this handsome little fellow. Click HERE to visit the auction, and get in on the action!  This is your last chance! All other naming rights auctions have ended!!

OH, and while you're there, be sure to check out all the art!

WE DID IT!!

Our matching donation was met, and I just put Cynthia's two squillion into the pot, and LOOK!  We just passed our $50,000 goal!!!!!!!!!!

WE JUST PASSED OUR GOAL OF $50,000!!!  

FIFTY SQUILLION!!!!!!  

LOTS OF CHEERS, and BIG, HAPPY TEARS around here!!!!      

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who helped get us here.  We appreciate every single penny donated, every word that was spread, and every prayer that was said.  

THANK YOU BEAUTIFUL ITTY BITTY KITTY COMMITTEE COMMUNITY!!!!! 

WE LOVE YOU!!!! 

We'll be back shortly,,  We've got some dancing to do and some phone calls to make.

xoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoo

WE DID IT!!!! 

And now,, a few words from the Bean.

THANK YOU !!!!

Another Name!

Well, this handsome little boy has a name.   It's Clifford Batsel.




Autumn was the high-bidder in this little fellow's naming rights auction , and she and her husband, Darren, selected this perfect name.   Here's what she had to say...

We want to give the kitten the distinguished name of, Clifford, after my husband's grandfather, Papa, who is much loved and missed.

Even though he wasn't much for cats digging around in his prized garden, we're sure he'd like this adorable little guy!

I agree, it is a very distinguished name.   It suits this little gentleman so well.

Thanks so much for your generous bid,  Autumn!

If you would like to bid on the opportunity to name a kitty, we've got a little over an hour to go in his brother's naming rights auction.    Later this morning, his other brother's auction will go live.   Stay tuned for that!

Also, don't forget we've got until noon today to meet Cynthia's big $2000 matching donation challenge!!!!   Jump in that one, please! We're getting SO close now!  Only $615 to go until we meet the match, then I'll be putting her $2 squillion into the kitty, and then we pass our $50 squillion goal!!     YIPPEEE!!!!

Charlene is already preparing a speech for the occasion.    

It's going to be an very exciting day!!!  

OH, one last thing... we've got some old friends popping over today that you're going to be VERY excited to see!   Just you wait...   Heee heeeeeeee!

To make a tax-deductible donation and help us reach our $50 squillion goal, please visit our FUNdraising page.

More Matching!!

We've got just three days left, then we'll be wrapping up our fundraiser.  It's been a long stretch, but it's been a good one.  It's been so exciting to watch everything unfold, and to see the total grow!

I can tell by our traffic stats that you have been totally here for us too.  I appreciate you standing by. I can't think of a blog with more loyal followers than you all.  I hope you know how much that means to us.  

Thanks for taking us so far!    We've got  just a little less that 3 squillion to go, and I've got something that's going to be taking us over the top.  Yep.  We've got another matching donation challenge from our dear friend, Cynthia.  

Once again, she's offering a very generous $2000 matching donation challenge.    Each time we've managed to meet her challenges, and I'm hoping that will be the case today too!    And once we meet it, we'll be PASSING our goal.

The matching  donation challenge officially starts now, and we've got until noon Pacific Time tomorrow to meet it.

For every dollar you donate , Cynthia will be doubling that.   So, if we meet her meet her $2000  challenge, our $2000 will become $4000,  and there will be a whole lot of hooting and hollering around here.  

This will be the very last matching donation challenge, so please jump in now and get your dollars doubled!

Please visit out FUNdraising page to make your tax-deductible donation today.


Thanks so much for all your generosity, everyone.   Thanks for taking us so far!  

And Cynthia, you are a rockstar.

OK, let's roll it over!!!

Batsel and Batsel - Reporting for Duty

Here we are on the set of the IBKC FUNdraiser, with Mr Batsel and Mr Batsel.   The gentlemen have been polishing up their phone skills, and are eagerly awaiting your calls!

Shhhh.  Please don't talk to me.  I'm running lines in my head right now.  

OK.   I'm ready.  Really ready.  I think I've really got this down.  

I mean I'm going to ace this today.    I'm going to REALLY knock it out of the park.   Be prepared to eat my dust, brother.   

RRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGG!

  

OK.  I wasn't prepared for THAT. 

While the kittens gather their wits, let's try making our donations ONLINE. 

Our FUNdraiser is growing to a close, but we still have three squillion to go to meet our goal.    Please help homeless cats and kittens out by making a tax-deductible donation out today.  

Thanks for getting us this far.  Now, let's take it home!    

And even MORE to Bid On!

I'm very excited to share with you the last of our auction items. Here's what just went live:

First, we have two very lovely blackwork embroidery pieces by talented stitcher,  and dear friend to the IBKC, Mari Voipio.  She sent these to us  all the way from Finland!   Mari has been following the blog from our very early days and she created these lovely designs just for us.   They are based on an image of our former foster kitten, Norma Easterbrook.  You can visit these auctions HERE and HERE.

Norma in Black by Mari Voipio

Blackwork Embroidery

Norma in Blue by Mari Voipio

Talented pet portrait painter Patti Kahler generously donated a custom portrait.  I can tell you first hand that  it's pretty awesome having a portrait of your cat painted by Patti.  I'm the lucky recipient of this gorgeous portrait of Charlene.   Get in on the action and you can have your cat immortalized on canvas too!   To place a bid, click HERE. 

Custom Cat Portrait by  Patti Kahler.

Patti will create a custom portrait of your cat in acrylic paint.

Annette Hicks also donated a lovely custom cat portrait.   The winning bidder will have their cat's portrait done in colored pencil by this gifted artist.   To get in on this auction, click HERE.

Custom  Portrait of your Cat in Color Pencil

by Anette Hicks

Last of all, our friends at Modern Cat Studios donated one of their  outstanding Scratching Towers.   I love all the things the make and their clean, modern aesthetic.   The winning bidder on this piece will have the choice of two designs.   To learn more about the the tower, and get in on the auction, click HERE.  Lovely kitty is not included.  You'll have to supply your own.  

Scratch Tower by Modern Cat Studios

TO VIEW ALL OF THE LIVE AUCTIONS,  CLICK HERE.

A huge thanks to ALL the fabulous creative folks who donated work to our auctions!   We appreciate your support!!   And thanks too to all the generous bidders!  It's so exciting to see the auctions climb.     Thank you, everyone!!!

More to Bid On!

I just listed FIVE new pieces in our art auctions!  It's getting pretty exciting over there, I suggest you check this out and get in on the auction action.     

I've got five more pieces left to list and there's some really great stuff - some of which you haven't even seen yet!   I'm trying hard to get all of it up today.  

TO VIEW ALL OF THE LIVE AUCTIONS,  CLICK HERE. 

These are the pieces that just went live.  Be sure to check all the artists' websites and etsy shops too and show them some love!  They are all so awesome and generous!! 

Family Portrait by Matte Stephens 

giclee print of original gouache  painting

Place your bid on this fabulous print HERE.

Sleeps with Fish by Michaela Eaves

limited edition print of original watercolor 

Check out Michaela's auction HERE.

Kitty Hat by Chloe and Boo

If you missed out on the first two, we've got one more.

A lovely quilt just for your cat by Julie Kangas

Your kitty called to say she wants you to bid on this for her.

Another kitty quilt by Julie Kangas!   Your other kitty called to say 

he would like you to bid on this handsome quilt. 

PayPal is Now an Option

Just wanted to let you know that you can now donate to our FUNdraiser through PayPal.   Just look below the Firstgiving widget and text in the sidebar.   Below that, you'll see a Paypal  "donate" button.

It's not our preferred method, but some of you had requested it, so we wanted to make it an option.

Just so you know, when you make a donation through PayPal,  it won't be reflected in the tally we have posted in the sidebar.    I won't be able to see these donations come in, and we won't know how much we raised via Paypal until the very end.     It will still count!!   And it will still be tax-deductible!   We just won't see it right away!

Name this Little Fellow...

The naming rights auction for this little fellow just went live!  It's only a one day auction, so please don't delay!!  Jump on in!!!

The Batsel Boys Take Their First Shift

First off,  the naming rights auction for our little girl ends in just a couple of hours, so if you're planning on bidding, hurry!!   Here's the link to her auction.

Well, we are starting to get REALLY close to our goal, which is good because we have just a few days left on fundraiser!

This Saturday, we'll be wrapping it all up and joining thousands of folks at  Dog-A-Thon, our Humane Society's walk for homeless animals.   If any of you local folks would care to join us for the walk, please let us know and we'll figure out a meeting spot and time.

The boy Batsels are  taking their very first shift on the phones today, let's check in and see how they are doing...



Uh oh.

PSSSSSSST. can someone tell me where the bathroom is, please?    PSSSSSSSSST.    Please?

I have to go.  

I mean I REALLY have to go.  

I'm sorry, but I need to go find the box.  

I TOLD him to go before we left this morning.  And I TOLD him not to drink all that coffee.  I hope I can handle this on my own.   I'm getting kind of nervous.   UH OH.  Oh, great.  Now I have to go.

Well,  I guess we should probably make our donations online.  Click HERE to visit our FUNdraising page.   We're getting so close!  Let's roll it over soon!!!!  

Thanks for all the amazing support!! 

Just listed!

Just listed, is this beautiful lion pendant by jewelry artist Kirsten McDonald of Equos Designs.  Please pay a visit to the auction, and visit her Etsy shop too!

Thanks for sharing your beautiful work with us, Kirsten!!

And while you're visiting this auction, please check out all the other lovely things we're auctioning off, too!

A Quick Match!

Alison, last year's Tea with the Bean winner,  has offered up a generous matching donation challenge.    For the next two hours, until 1:30 PM Pacific Time, she'll be matching our donations, up to $500.

SO, if we raise $500, it will become $1000!

Here's a chance to double your donation dollars, and make your contribution REALLY count!

To get in on the action, pay a visit to our FUNdraising page and make a tax-deductible contribution!

Thanks for all the amazing support!  And thanks for our awesome matching donation challenge, Alison! We're getting SO close to our goal!!  Just a few squillion to go!!!

Please don't delay!  We've got just 2 hours to make this happen!!!

Have Tea with the Bean!!!

As part of the fundraising auction, once again we'll be offering "Tea with the Bean".   Last year we had a really awesome time with our winner Allison and her guest Eleanor.  You can read all about it HERE.

Here's a little bit about what we're offering...

The winning bidder of this auction, and a guest of their choice, will be joining the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee at our home in Tacoma, WA for a behind the scenes tour and a luncheon. 

They'll get to meet Charlene Butterbean and the foster kittens residing in our home at the time of their visit.     

We will serve a lovely vegetarian  (or vegan if you prefer) lunch, tea, and desserts.   After lunch, we'll head to the Humane Society for a little tour which will include the foster room, cattery, and the Charlene Butterbean Quarantine Room.  They'll also get to see the HS van that has Charlene's photo on it!  

We'll take lots of pictures during your visit, and with the winner's  permission, share the story of the visit on the blog.

The winner and guest will be responsible for their own travel expenses. 

Sounds like fun, huh?    

To get in on the bidding action check out the auction HERE.  

Happy bidding!! 

A Few Things...

First of all,,   don't forget we've got our first naming rights auction going on. You can bid on the rights to give the surname to our new little litter.  It ends in less than 3 hours so don't delay!!    Here's the link to the auction.

Second,,,  Back by popular demand, we're going to be giving a little more time for people to contribute to the fund for Senior Cats.    Earlier, we had a whole day devoted to them, this time it will just be a half day.  You've got from noon until midnight Pacific Time to make a donation and have it count toward this cause.   To learn more about how the money is used, click HERE.    To make a donation, click HERE.

Last of all... Thanks. It's been a long four weeks. Thanks for sticking around through the fundraiser.  I'm sure it might grow tiresome for some of you.   I appreciate your faithfulness and generosity.  We are almost done!  Just one more week!