Well, That was Awesome!

 OH MY GOODNESS!

Were you watching last night during the final hour of our match? It was the biggest nail-biter in the history of our fundraising, and honestly, I was completely SHOCKED that we managed to complete it.

Here's how it all played out:

At 6:00 PM, an hour before the match was to end, we were $1900 short of our goal. I have to say, it was feeling a little hopeless at this point -- that was an awful lot to bring in during just one hour.  The pace picked up, and the funds started rolling in,  but not quite steady enough.

At 6:30, we still had $1300 to go.

With five minutes left, we were still $649 shy, then in came a $100 donation, then a $500 donation, leaving us just $49 shy of our goal at 6:59 PM.

THE EXACT VERY SECOND the clock on my computer rolled to 7:00, my email "pinged" and there was a $50 donation that put us over the top!

WHEW!

But here's the really awesome part...

The person who rolled us over is a volunteer at the shelter.  She comes into the shelter every Sunday, the day it is closed,  for "Purr Time. During this time, she and other volunteers take the residents out of their cubbies and into the cat visitation rooms to give them time to stretch their legs, play, and get some good one-on-one attention with humans.  They also spend time with the cats in the community cat room, too.

No one knows the importance of these rooms more than this particular volunteer, so it was so incredibly special that she was the one to roll us over the top yesterday!

It was a very hard day, I know.  I am so thankful for your support and generosity. I appreciate that you rallied and responded to the big push at the end. Of course I appreciate every donation that came in earlier in the day, as well!  And our Awesome Anonymous Donor  --- I hope you know how grateful I am for you.  Together,  we  made something pretty special happen and our cats and kittens will benefit greatly!

I can't wait to see the improvements at the shelter, and look forward to sharing them with you once they are complete!!

We've got lots more to come today and over the weekend, too! During the FUNdraiser, I post ever day of the week!

I have SO MUCH TO SHARE with you, so please, stick close!!!  

Thank you so much, I love you guys.

OH, and I feel I should warn you --- this is the point in the FUNdraiser that I always start getting punchy, tired, giggly, and a little emotional.  My apologies in advance, should I lose my composure.  I do try to keep it together, but it is a struggle!!!

BE BACK SOON!!  

Thank You, Part Two!

Here's the glorious moment in time when we cleared that $40 squillion hurdle! And as you can see, it's Miss Opal's five cents (a penny per kitten) that took us over the top! A huge thanks to G for having capturing this, and sending the picture to me!!

Ok,, I'm not done thanking you yet. I need to give a big shout-out to some special folks that helped make our fundraiser such an unbelievable success.

Here we go....

Sarah, Shana, and Marguerite (AKA Team IBKC)

Thank you for being the fabulous women that you are, thanks for being a part of the team and thanks for bringing nice little chunk of change for the kitties!

Sue
Thanks for being an awesome cheerleader. And thanks for crying happy tears all the time. You're the bestest.

G
Thank you G for your fundraising expertise, and for inspiring me to set a higher goal. I appreciate your knowledge and know-how, and encouraging words along the way.

Opal
Thank you dear, sweet little Opal for you generous, heart-felt, $1.05 donation. Thanks for showing us that every single penny counts. Thanks for inspiring so many to give. Thanks for loving kitties so much.

Jenna
Thank you for turning your sweet sixteen birthday party into an IBKC fundraiser. You're a special girl.

Our Auction Winners

Thanks to those who oh-so-generously bid on our kitty names, tea with the bean, and art. You guys rocked it! And you kitty namers, Nanette, Eleanor, Cynthia, and Christina,, nice work...you came up with some AWESOME choices. Alison, the Bean is looking forward to tea with you!

Lynda

Thank you Lynda,,, you know why. ; )

Craig

Thanks for being the sweet, supportive husband you always are. Thanks for not 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.

Cynthia, our superhero.

Where do I begin. Thank you for your generous spirit, enthusiasm, humor, and caring nature. You gave, and gave, and gave, and gave and your matching donations inspired others to do the same. I'm not so sure we wouldn't of hit our goal with out your support. Bless you and your kitty-lovin' ways.

And thanks, once again, to all of you. Thanks for still stopping by everyday, and not tuning out during the fundraiser. Thanks for caring and giving so much.

I know a lot of you who donated, do so much for cats and kittens already.. you foster, you blog about them, you volunteer at your local shelter... I appreciate the fact that you're so willing to give more than you already do.

Thanks for spreading the word far and wide, and letting others know about what we were up to. Lots of new folks found their way to the blog, and lots of those folks made a contribution to our fundraiser.

And finally, a huge thank you to everyone for the sweet, supportive words you've given throughout our campaign. Your kind comments kept me going through this long month. I appreciate you all so much. You are a loving community, and I am so happy to have you in my life.

I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. If I have,, it's only because my heading is still spinning from all of this excitement.

xoxo Love to you all,,,, Laurie

More to come:

FORTY SQUILLION!!! THAT'S RIGHT, FORTY SQUILLION !!!

Can you believe it?   SERIOUSLY?   CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??  WE DID IT !!! We REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, just raised FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS for cats and kittens!!!!   (and that's not even counting the auction money that's still rolling in and the funds raised by the other girls on the team!!!!)

 Good golly, you could knock me over with a whisker right now. I need to gather my wits, stop sobbing like a big old baby, dance a little dance with a few lady-cats,  make a few calls, and I'll be back to tell you  how amazing you are for making this happen.    Please pat yourselves on the back, because you are awesome!        

WE LOVE YOU!   THANK YOU FRIENDS!!!!  

You Rock.

In all seriousness, you do.  You rock.



I  just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for taking us so far.     I can hardly believe that we've blown past thirty squillion.  I really do feel that 40 squillion is within our reach now, even with just two days of fundraising remaining.   My hopes are high, and my fingers are crossed.

Earlier today, I was looking at a list last years contributions and contributors.    There are so names I've seen repeated on this year's list.    It's so nice to know you're all still here.    There are lots of new ones too - our community has really grown.

 I do a fair share of bouncing around blog-land, and I have to say this group of ours is a unique one.  It's  a warm and lovely, positive and supportive community.   You make this a happy place.  I love all the care and concern you have for our kittens, and each other too.   I appreciate your willingness to give so much.

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to see all the good that will be done with our contributions this year.    I saw what happened last year when Butterbean Quarantine opened, and the new cages purchased with the funds we raised were placed in the lobby.  More cats got adopted this year, and more lives were saved.

Because we rallied so hard from places literally around the world, many people took notice.  And even after all the funds we raised were used, the impression of our passion remained, and today, it continues to inspire people to make things better for the cats.

When we join together, we are mighty powerful!  

Thank you for caring and giving so much.
Thank you for being a part of this community.

Thank you, thank you,  thank you.

Friends, You Did it Again....

I got word from Marguerite, the developmental director over at our Humane Society, that quite a few donations were made in honor of our dear Drewey. : )

We both agreed that this money needed to be earmarked for something special, and decided that the senior cats should benefit from it some how.

Often the senior cats are in need of a little extra something... dental work, a procedure, etc to get them to a more "adoptable" state. We thought these funds should be made available to the vet staff to use for seniors in need of a little something.

So thanks to your thoughtfulness and generosity,, you are making a difference in the lives of several seniors! If I get wind of how the money is used, I'll be sure to share the stories with you.

How wonderful is that?? !! It makes my heart swell. And I know Drewey would approve.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

xx oo xx oo xx oo

Now Open: The Butterbean Quarantine!

As most of you know, a big chunk of the money you generously donated to the IBKC fundraiser for our Humane Society went towards the build-out of two cat quarantine rooms. Because of the donations, we officially sponsored one of the rooms, and it has been dubbed "The Butterbean Quarantine".

Just a weeks back, they officially opened the doors. Today I stopped by to see the fully functioning rooms in person, and snap a few pictures to share with you. Shana was there today to give me the full tour.

The rooms are lovely. The walls are painted a pale, watery blue and natural light floods in through the skylights. The rooms feel peaceful and calm. So do the resident cats.

There are 32 cages total in the two rooms. Some are for single cats, others are large enough to house pairs or a family.

The Butterbean Quarantine will be used to hold the healthy owner-surrender cats while they wait for a spot to open up for them at one the satellite adoption stations at PetSmart, Petco or Metropolian Vet. This frees up more space in the main cattery and will keep the owner-surrender cats healthy by keeping them separate from the strays.

Having these rooms up and running is going to make such a HUGE difference at the HS.

So, thank you once again for your amazing support. Just look what you did and think of all the lives you are saving.


One of the banks of cages in the Butterbean Quarantine


Butterbean Quarantine resident "Screech" and her "wubbie".


I'm guessing that's Shana's handwriting.


Beautiful cow-cat Gussy.


Gussy gets a little love from Shana.

One Last Thank You...

I wanted to cut and paste our list of donors from the sidebar into a permenant post so I'll never forget all of you fabulous people.

Thank you, thank you, thank you once again for making our fundraiser for the Humane Society such a HUGE success:

Anne Boleyn Pole, Ms Maddie Bouvier-Bevilacqua-Cornwell, Mary T, Anon, Edward and Inez Davenport, Jugglernaut, Anon, Milo and Sophie, Stephanie, Summer, Amanda, Dr Phyll, Shari, Hazel and Furgus, Alissa, Calvin, and Teddy, Anon, Rosie and Oliver, Mary Ann Zastrow, Julia, Catonsville Cats, Cindy Zawalich, Jonni, Elisa rassen, Koren and Milly, Jen, Mary, GT, Caroline, Mama Kitty, Mari, Phoenix Wing, Lisa (Hubble Space Paws), Anna, Heidemarie, GD, Jeanne, Annie R, Alice Straus, Anon, Nimjabob, Meephome, Anon, Lisa, Moose Ridge, Anonymous, Pamela Allen, Ellen H, In Memory of Jake, Anonymouse, Christine, Angie, Heather H, Elizabethb, Rita, Marlene Hirose, Brooke Byrd, Butters and Murphy, FondaHonda, Sharon, Toni, Sparkling Spirit, Virtkitty, Grey Ghost, Agnes and Henry "Carmine" Pettibone, Darin, "Al" Duffy, Bobaloo, Laura and Jacob Herritt, Berthamae, Virgil, Leon and Evelyn, Nance, Jen, Percy and Olive, Clovis and Rupert Ashby, Kendra, Ken and Kona, Anne F, Dunkel and Otto, Tanya Sloan, Laura, Trudy and Lyle, Joanne, Robin, Oliver and Minnie, Opalina, Me-Me, Snowy and Stinkerbelle, Karey Uhler and Ben Schueler, Katboxjanitor, Toes and Marbles, Hyacinth, Dewi Casgwent, Sherlyn, Peter, and litte Viktor Tuxington, Ohlookachicken, Nichole, Jack and Katia, Katie, Danielle Friedle, Loretta, Colette and Laura, Toni Wilson, Sparky, Tiny, Scooter, Rosie, Minnie, Franny and Iris, Anonymous, Meg, Emmett and Clementine, Olympia Cat Army, Deodand, Patti, Arielle, Jus Me, Angela Moreno, Marcy Morfin, Anonymous, Kathy Buchli, Cath Makin, Andrea, Laura and Roger, Cozy and Zarquon, Anon, Lisa H, Margo, Anne Boleyn Pole (again!), Kajivar, Doodle Bean, Kristen Mcdonald, Laura, Juanita, Amy and the House of Cats, Pussytoes, Shea Sundstol, Juliana, Karen T, Odie and Mickey, Andrea, Diane M, Sam's Lackey, Cori Martinelli, Juniper, Wicopy, Rebs, Kate, Kelly, Tammy, Melissa R, Anonymous, Paul Cat, Sophie Kitty and their human, Meg, Lizzie of the Once-Itty, Now-Biggy Piggy Committee, WendyKnits and Lucy, Cheri Linehan, Maddie Bouvier-Bevilacqua-Cornwell's Texas Grandma, Sandra D, Sandy E, Kristin B, Everythingearin, Monty, Dolly and Cupcake Cinotto, Snack, Buddy and Gravy, Cagney and Lacey, Anon, Priti Damle, Mokie, Anon, Eloiseariel, Susan, Koni Olson, Putt-Putt, Burl, Gonzo, Miep, Dot and Trudi, Reid, Brennan and Eliot, the FABULOUS folks at Cute Overload, Momo, Molly, Mia and their humans D & A, Anon, Casanova, Bettina and Dahlia, Scigirl, Darsa, Connie Marcia, Owen's mom, Hai Mai, Whitney, Brenda, Ming, Dusty and Peanut, and Tarzan and Kazoo's Mom, Judy Breeden, Karen, Linda K. Cunningham, Buckethead and Miss T (for trouble) Anne Boleyn AGAIN, Lisa, Subduct, Christine, Elaine, Judy, Jennifer, Audrey, Anon, Zipper's Mama, Amy Freeman, Elena, Sarah Miller, Irene and Marko, Beth, Ann-Eve Cunningham, Catmama and the Hubby, Kim, The Pet Museum, Albert and Elvis Livermore and their proud mama, Laura N, Utahkittykisser, Jennifer Roth, Kitty, Alison, Just Bec, Darci, Milo and Daisy, Hallie, Cypriss, Posie, Martina and Lil' Cherry, Daisy Chelsea Bird, CatlessinTO, Sara, Hildur Gleason, Steve Brondos, Chris Carroll, Laiane, Emma and the Boy Cats, Anon, Christine, Peeve and Commander Robot, Clwaller, Katey, Charlene's BFF, Nicholas Nyland, Dedicated Dourly, Natasha, Cynthia Supernant, Ms. Maddie Bouvier-Bevilacqua-Cornwell (again!!!), Holly and Claire Wolf, Angie, Coni Bright, Baby Cat's Mom, Laura "Bird", KT3000, JLR, RedLaRossa and DavidTW, Christine (again!!, One Love Photo, Amy Senn, Blue Moon Harrison, Anon, K (on behalf of Gigi and Django), Hubie Darling, Cagney and Lacey (AGAIN!!) JasonInIllinois, Stewie, Morty and Violet, 95 feet and the two humans that care for them, Gwen, Anju, Chris and Jon, Tilda and Margot, Bandit and Ginger, Anne F (Again!!), Jill Agro, D and S White, Linda S, Martha Larson, Jenny n Mike, Mila Webb, Anne Boleyn (in memory of her Daddy), Cally's Person, Berry, Mimi and Rose Walden, Pepper and Scout, Toni, Otis, Oliver and Emma, Mr P and Mrs Button, Kim, Nate, Tate and Mavis, Archie, Maggie, Lily and Cuyahoga, Anon, Cynthia Suprenant, Dulcinea, MeanderingMel, Tanya Sloan (and Mishka and Shasha) AGAIN!!, Kat MacNeely, Natasha, Zindzi, Akira amd Zia, Rebs, Jana Kulas, Amy and Dave Gonigam, Dewi Casgwet (AGAIN!), Olivia, Kathleen Johnson, Wyatt and Molly Moonpie, Puddin Shaffer, Anne F (AGAIN)!! Dale-Harriet in WI, Clare, Hallie, Cypriss, Posie Martina (Tina) and Cherry, Bella Olson-Baehr, Monster and Henry, Smokeysmom, Janis Taylor, Mercredi, Ella, Otis and Murray Bryant, Kittyroxx, James Mitchell, DustPuppyOI, Cagney and Lacey (again!!!!), Rita, debsimoes2000, Baxter's Mom, GT (again!!!), Rose Mc Cataloon, Nicole, Summer, Smokey and Misty, Morgan W, Sara Nuccio, Eleanor, waterdragon687, Alys, Kleinwort, Hubble Space Paws, Jenna, Judy H, Cath and David Makin, Katherine Tallant, Chanter, Tara, Kristen Turner, Christine (again!), Rachel, Toni, Dan Bailey, The Lewis Cats (Scout, William and Cisco), Anna Caryle and Chloe-kitty, Marjorie, Darin (again!) Anon, Katie, Angel0886, Ohlookachicken (Again!) Jenna Lander, Anon, Nutella Nutterson, Honeibee, Christine the Rounder-Upper, Ipo's mom Brittany, Rebecca Przybycien, sdu, Elaine Hussain, NatyB88, Elissa Patterson, Kafeinikov, otto, Ueli and Bruna Schueler, Cheyenne's Mom, Thorn, Marie Godsey, Marlene Hirose, Isa Leschko, Brian Aydemir, Bj and KalBelle, alh, Annie Fisher, KP, Brian Aydemir (Again!!) Norlyn and Onyx Fils-Aime, Pinky Boy, AR, Fenn Pumba, Poe and Po, Gary Family and their kitties, Cynthia Suprenant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, Elinor, Two formerly homeless cats, Cheri Linehan (again), Sylvestermiasmomma, Martha Larson (again!!), gypsybaker, Lovely Lisa, (again!!)Catena, Sweetiewolfie, Noodle, Olive and Patti, Brooke R, Max-Cat and P-Cat, Tim Z, Katy and Jerry (the cat whisperer), Tori Warden, Kathy Klinge, Cynthia Gonsalves, Scientific Chick, Paige Hafer, Katharine Beutner, Brooke Byrd, Butters, Murphy and now Zeke! (again!), Eliana, Maddie's Texas Family (again!!), Meg, The Hinkletons, Alice and Patrick, Seminolelinda, Stephanie, Yuri, Susan, Karen Wheeler, Rita, Christine, Lynn, Xena, Purl and Ashford, Daisy, Raven and Titch, Neeniebug, Ltkper, Phoenix Wing (again!!) Minomici. Lizzie and Kitty Zouf, ctb 18, Georgia Grl, Staci S, JasonInIllinois (again!!), Miss Emma and her human, Karen), Graham Kitty (with Shiri's wallet), Jaime, Skeeter in KC and Sondra from Montana, Anon, cestar42, Susan Ryan, JMP in Boston, Christine (our rounder-upper), Yukon catlover, Lori K, Linda S, Dana C, Mulderknitter, Anette, Nichole, Jack and Katia, Saya Moriyasu, Edith S, Anju (again!!), FruitFlyGirl, Kermito, Dyaus, Orangekitty, Bruce and Greta, The Lynch Family, Liz, Wilsonova, Jen J, Carla MacLafferty, Shadow (with Meowmy Julie), Elly and Millie, Anon, Fanny, Pearl and the Canadian Moose, Karen, Graham, Gracie and Ellie, Kristine, Heather, Veather, Lisa Kowalczyk, Hobbes and Chloe, Arthur and Penny Loveston, Megan T., Wildmillie, Cody, Cowboy and Chris, Rocky, Nikita and The Housekeeper, Amy and The House of Cats, The Daily Kitten Krew, Tricia, Mollyboo, Laurel NB, Melinda Banks, Anon, Weaverpat, Enia, clwaller, liz668, Sophie Sofasaurus, Bad Hippie, Ajax, Bey, Sev, Margaret, BrianneLee, tattytiara, Ron, Denise, Ingrid and Cotten, Catharine, Calista Brill, Linda Faubel, Beezle Charles Cheeseburgerhead and me, Pocketdoc and Lila, Kama Sutra Anna Livia Plurabelle Bunnycat, Julia and Charlotte, Jessica Hougen, Marishka, Lynds and Yoko, and Christine (the rounder-upper)(again!!), Tamnonlinear and Cynthia M Suprenant (MAJOR rounder-upper)... that's right she took us to 13,000 squillion,,, Amber Padilla, Tina and luis and Vincent(Million Dollar Kittyboyz), Mikkeneko, Catherine, Terry and Dan, Jenny n Mike, The Gary family and thier kitties, Pinky and Chloe DeGraf, Michael Doctor, macdivageek and MoonPie, Fleur and Bear, Buddy and Holly, Kelly Washburn, Amanda, Jenny, Shannon, Lauren, Jane, Max and Pooh, Kirsten and Scott, Anne, Adventure Kitty, Steve and Brenda Truman, Laura, Beachbum and Silly Goodse, Daisy, Cynthia Suprenant, our MAJOR rounder-upper who once again took us over the top. We've hit 14 squillion! Sherman, and Lexie (aka Tink)and Milo, J Wahl, Liz, Gegor's Mom, Pink Trees and Sunshine, Brice and Crystal, Shadow (and Meowmy Julie), Tansy and Mona, Hallie, Tina, Posie, Cypriss, and Cherry, Katie R, fuuchan, Liz from Massachusetts, Lisa and Trudy and Lyle (Again), Kristin, Megan D, Putt-Putt, Burl, Gonzo, Miep, Dot, and Trudi, Sara, Sissy Sassy, In Memory of Meep, Daphne Wilson, Jessica D, Tiffany Davis, Anon, Barthelemys and furkids Penny, Brutus and Nosferatu, Amy and The House of Cats, Colleen Monette, Casey for Ava Tsunami, Townhouselady, Ruth, Tom, and Maia PussPuss from Wales, UK,and Maya Papaya, Elizabeth S, Aliza M, BERDucky, Heather T, J Wahl, Anon, The Walls, Cagney and Lacey (Again!!!!), Zoey and Catherine, Nadine and Miss Bobo, Sir Alastair Digby Vaine-Trumpington, Grey Ghost, Aunty Pol, Paul Kitten, Sophie Cat and Their human, Meg, Murray and Mouse, Old Lady, Amy, Kris Quinn, Anon, Daris S, Emily G, Alexis, Darin and Miss Bewitched, Helen and the Kitties, Kelley O, Valliea, Tessler, and Rae du Soleil, Biggs Sisters, Jer + Shama, Sugi and Tomo, Redwoodforest, Happy and Mary B, Meredith, Ms Butterbean even reached into her floofy pockets to make a small donation, Rebecca, Nudaydreamer, Michelle and Cynthia our superhero ONCE AGAIN rounded us up to an even 17 squillion!! Angela Jane, Lise, Karen, Annabelle and Gus, and Wendy's Aunt Sharon, RedLaRossa and DavidTW (again) Nichole Gervals, The Collins' Cats, Nicole Robichaud, Anon, Kristen and Scott, Anon, Kristen, Jenny, Victoria, Adrienne, Julia, Wincey, Sarah E, Rachel, Otto and Dunkel, Mia, Henry and Taylor, MB and Penelope, Puglette (again!) and Cynthia M Suprenant our super-duper-duper rounder upper who took us to 18 squillion!, Bett W, Jen, Veronika Jones, Paul Cat,Sophia Kitten and their Human, Meg (again!!!), Kathleen L., Murray and Mouse, Gordy Suprenant, Utahkittykisser, marishka, Amyyma, Koren and Milly (AGAIN!!), Tarzan and kazoo's Mom, Ann-Eve Cunningham, S and Odie, GT (Charlene's Boyfriend), Jenn, Laura and Roger, Emma (former shelter kitty), and her Human, karen, AA, Brennan And Eliot, Shelly and Jill, Carys of the 13 and a half cats, 4 cats, a bunny, foster kitties and their human Amy, J.P., Chandra, Gregg, Enzo Furrari and Maggie May, 2.25 Tabies, Anon, Rondi Hanson, Glumplum, Noodle and Olive (and Patti), Graham (with Shiri's wallet), Angie, Barry and the beasties, Pele, Cleo, Twinkie and Harry, kajivar, Mollysusie, miss Sasha and Kitty Cazzy, Mary T, Karey Uhler and Ben Schueler, Robin, Mags, Ingrid and Cotten, Christine (our rounder-upper), Nadine and Miss Bobo, Rita (are wonderful match-maker), Christine W, Michele, Awen (again!!), Lisa, Pixie and Midnight Knapp, YourDailyCute.com, Shadow (and kitty mom Julie) Brixton and Skeeboo, Marlene, 9 and Chani, The Collins' Cats, Walls, Turkey the Wonder Kitty, Deleilan, Christine, Emily Gladstone Cole, Sarah in T-Town, Tamnonlinear, Domesticat, Tasha, Dobby and Franklin, Lisa, Tito, Penny Gemini and Imba, Tori, Thorn, Brooke, Allison, Elisa McEntee and Sheebs, Mo, Di And Barney the Westie, tguidici, Heather, Chaos and mayhem, Cynthia M Suprenant, our Superhero (AGAIN!!!!!!) Linda and Princess Patches the Fluffy, Amanda, Tanya Sloan, Karen T, Amy C, Kittencatt, Mahal, Cagney and Lacey (again!!!) Anon and Pauline L, Anon, Nicole, Liz, Chet and Cecily Davenport, Jodo, Ayse, and Elizabeth H.

The Cat People Have Spoken

Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would be able to raise so much. I feel kind of silly actually, having started off with such a modest goal of $3,000. I'm sorry I underestimated you so. I guess I never thought so many would be willing to give so much to a shelter outside of their community, let alone outside their country.

But you did. Of course you did. And you gave again. And you rallied and cheered and supported and told all your friends about what we were doing. While our totals grew, so did the number of followers, and we all witnessed something magical unfold.

We watched a lot of people come together. We watched a whole lot of good happen. We cried a lot of happy tears. We watched a small campaign snowball into something really, really huge. We held our breath while we waited to meet that final goal of $20 Squillion. We saw a community of people speak up for the cats and kittens. We watched people take notice.

As it stands today, with our donations, the funds raised from the auctions, and what Shana collected too for the team, The Itty Bitty Kitty Community brought in a whopping $22,855. REMARKABLE!!


From the bottom of my heart, I thank all of you for caring and giving so much. I am so proud of what we have accomplished together. We have made a difference.

Wonderful, beautiful Itty Bitty Kitty Community, you enrich my life. You make this world a better place.


A Squillion hugs, Laurie


PS Now I have a few community members I would like to thank....

Greg: It was Greg who suggested in the early days of the fundraiser that we could quite possibly go beyond 10 Squillion. I thought it sounded way out of reach when he suggested it, but quickly I was proven wrong. He offered lots of fundraising ideas and encouragement along the way. I should also mention he has big crush on Butterbean. She thinks he's swell too.


Sue: Sue was there every single step of the way, being supportive, and getting all choked up by the wonderfulness of this community. Thank you, friend!!

Shana: Yay for Shana! Thanks for always being so positive,,you were such a team cheer-leader. (and she brought in a nice little chunk of change to the campaign too!!)

Rita: She's a generous soul and inspired so many to give by suggesting her match-making offer. Thank you Rita!!

Cynthia: Thank you Cynthia! You are generous times a squillion. You gave, and gave and gave. Your enthusiasm was contagious, and inspired so many to give as well.

Staci: Staci sent our pics into Cute Overload which brought a lot TON exposure to our campaign. (and introduced the previously mentioned Cynthia to the IBKC !!)

Mimi: Thank you Mimi for donating your beautiful painting. You got the auction ball rolling! We're so thrilled your pretty painting fetched a pretty penny!

Chroma Lab (Alicia and Tony): Thank you for donating one of your beautiful clocks to the auction. Thank you too for spreading the word about the IBKC and our fundraiser. Thanks for all the love and support your family ALWAYS sends our way!

Dan: Thank you, Dan for suggesting the auctioning of the naming rights to the Kitties. BRILLIANT! Absolutely BRILLIANT!

Nanette, Renee, Sarah, Eleanor, Francesca, Koren, Margo, Garth and Woody: A huge thanks to all our our generous naming rights winners!

Craig: Thank you for being so patient and supportive through this event. Thank you too for always reminding me that my wildest dreams could be bigger. Lastly, thanks for agreeing to wear matching tee-shirts at the Dog-A-Thon. I know it was kind of nerdy.



Dog-A-Thon pics and recap to follow. I had to thank you first!

TOMMOROW we'll be announcing the lucky winner of the complete IBKC card set and naming rights to a kitten from our next litter. I've got a few other prizes to raffle off too!

Say What??? Another Matching Offer????

Well, our first donation match got maxed FAST!!!! Thanks again to Rita for your generosity and inspiration! Thanks to all of you who stepped up and made your donation!!

I've got another match all lined up to run from now until 5:00 PM Pacfic Time. No surprise, it's from Cynthia, our superhero, who has helped us pass many milestones during this campaign.

Now here's the deal:

For every dollar you pledge, she will match, then double that amount.
SO if you donate $20, she will donate $40, so your $20 becomes $60.

Pretty fabulous, eh?

Now here's the REALLY wonderful part,, She's willing to donate up to $750 for this match.

SOOOOO,, if we bring in $375 in pledges by 5:00 Pacific Time, she'll donate $750, which turns your $375 into $1125 which pushes us over the 20 SQUILLION mark!!

AND THEN we can all start screaming and crying and jumping for joy and hugging and kissing our cats and kittens!!!

Matching !!

Today, I got a very generous offer from IBKC follower, Rita.

From now until 2:00 PM today (Pacific Time) Rita will be matching your donations, up to $250 dollars.

Here's how it works:
If we bring in, say, $180 in donations by 2:00 PM, Rita will donate $180.

If our donations total $250, Rita will donate in $250.

If we go beyond $250. She'll donate $250.

So if you make your donations now, they will REALLY count!!
It's a win-win for the cats and kits!

Thanks you, Rita, for your wonderful idea and generosity!!!

We Were There,, I Swear!

I'm not entirely sure what happened, but last night, we hit 15 squillion, and then went over the top by a good hundred or so. When I logged in this morning,, it had dropped!! There are probably just pledges that haven't fully processed. Who knows.

REGARDLESS I'm still celebrating!! I'm still just as thrilled!!! We're just $75 under the 15K mark with our pledges,, and the beautiful painting we've got up for auction is over $150 now,,, so technically, we are SO there!!

Thank you all so much for making this happen. You folks are truly remarkable. Never in my wildest dreams did I think there would be so many donations for our kitty cause.

It's been so amazing watching all of these pledges roll in from all over the country and all over the world. It's really just INCREDIBLE that so many are willing to support a shelter that isn't even in their own community!


I love this little community so much. It's filled with so many warm and compassionate people. I feel so lucky to have you all as a part of my life. Thank you for being so lovely and giving.

Now please give yourself a pat on the back again. You've helped us reached a major goal. Just look what you've done for the cats and kitties.

So what's next, you ask?

KITTIES!

I'm scrubbing the floors, blankets are in the wash,, sanitizing litter boxes... getting ready for the next batch-o-babes.

FIFTEEEEEEEEN SQUILLLLLLLLION!!!

Please give me a moment to compose myself, then I'll be back to tell you how AMAZING you all are.

Can You Believe It ??

We are gettting sooooooooooooo close! Only $600 until we hit 15 squillion.

I'm biting my nails. I am all goose-bumpy. I'm on the edge of my seat. I'm awestruck. I'm amazed. I'm tearing up. I'm thanking you.

A Beautiful Gift

This weekend, I got an email from a very talented Seattle artist, Mimi Torchia Boothby . Mimi creates beautiful watercolor paintings, and wanted to donate one of her cat paintings to help with our fundraising efforts.

I accepted her generous offer, and now it's available to you on Ebay.

This original, artist signed watercolor painting "I Gatti Randagi – Alley Cats" measures 10 inches wide and 13 inches high.

The cats pictured in the painting are from a colony of feral cats living in a courtyard in a small Italian town. These are faces of cautious cats who live a very hard life. Somehow, Mimi manages to capture a glint of curious kitten in their expressions too.

All of the money raised in this auction will go directly to the IBKC fundraiser for The Humane Society.

I think it's amazing that these cats who live on the streets, barely cared for, will be making a difference. These cats touched Mimi and she made a painting of them. The money from the sale of this painting will help fund lifesaving programs for cats and kittens. To me this illustrates that every SINGLE cat matters, and every cat has a purpose.

Thanks so much for the lovely gift, Mimi.

To find out more about the painting or to place a bid, click here. The auction ends Monday, July 20th. Goodluck bidders!!

To see more of Mimi's art please visit her blog.

Purrrrrrrrrsuading You to Spread the Word

Good morning, everyone. Would you take a look at that little counter over there on the right hand side of the page. We've made some SERIOUS progress in the past week!! At the rate we're going,, I would be surprised we hit 15K before the week is out!!!!

Just in case you missed the big announcement, because we've raised over 10K, the Itty Bitty Kitty Community will be sponsoring one of the new quarantine rooms they are building for the cats at the Humane Society. You can learn more about that by reading this post.

So where do the rest of our donations go? They go straight to the cats. Just to help put things into perspective for you,, this is what your donation can do:

$20 will feed a shelter cat for a week
$35 will vaccinate ten kittens
$50 will provide a life-saving dental cleaning for an elderly cat
$100 will spay a female cat or neuter two male cats

Another way you can REALLY help is just by spreading the word . Tweets on Twitter, postings on Facebook, mentions on blogs and emails to friends about the IBKC and our fundraiser can really help drive new people our way. It helps tremendously, and it's a really easy way to "contribute".

I've made this campaign image download-able if you would care to use it when spreading the word. If you do mention us on your blog, please let me know. I'll be putting a link to those blogs on the sidebar below our list of contributors.

Thanks to those who are spreading the word already! I can see in our stats! Because of you, lots of new folks have made their way over here, and made donations!!

Thank you everyone! You've been so incredibly supportive and we appreciate you all so much!

I've got some more pics to share with you a little bit later. Today the kitties discovered our indoor soccer arena (AKA the bathtub). Good times!

This is the Tail of a VERY Excited Cat

And that clinking you hear,,,, yep, champagne glasses.

We're toasting to you. We're cheering! The kittens are bouncing!!! We're taking a twirl with Charlene on the living room rug!!!!

TEN SQUiilllllllllllllllllllllllllion!


Hip, Hip, Hoooooooooooooray!!!

THANK YOU LOVELY, LOVELY, PEOPLE!!

Very, Very, Very Good Mews

I have something really AMAZING to share with you.

I just got a very nice email form Marguerite, the director of development over at the Humane Society. She said that the cats will be the priority when it comes time to distribute the funds raised at this year's Dog-A-Thon.

The feral trap/neuter/release and low-cost spay/neuter for “neighborhood strays” programs will benefit from this. The money will also buy new cat cages for the HS lobby and help fund the re-design of the cat areas to help minimize disease and make the cats more comfortable.

Now here's the really fabulous part...

Every single penny of the Itty Bitty Kitty Community pledges will go directly towards the cats. Specifically, the cat adoption program AND the build out of two more rooms for the cats. They need over ten thousand dollars to complete the build-out project, and if we are able to raise ten thousand (we're so close already), the Itty Bitty Kitty Community (that means you fine folks!) will officially be "sponsoring" a room and you all will be honored with a plaque!

These two rooms will be used to 'quarantine' incoming cats, so they'll have lots more room to hold cats, evaluate their health, treat them and find them homes. More room for cats, means more lives saved.

Isn't that just incredible????

You folks are so wonderful. Together, you're so powerful. You all came together and supported this cause and these kittens, and now look what you're doing. YOU are making a difference. YOU are funding a major project at the Humane Society. YOU are saving lives.

We are so deeply touched by your generosity and support. From the bottom of all of our hearts, we thank you for caring so much.

No More Pussy-Footing Around!

When I decided to do this little fundraiser for our Humane Society, I knew I would have your support, but had no idea we would raise so much so fast. I guess never expected that people would be donating more than once, let alone two,three or four times. I know I've said it before, but thank you, thank you, thank you. I've got word from some of the higher-ups down the HS that they are quite impressed with your support too, and they thank you as well.

We've got some SERIOUS momentum going, and with 23 days left before the Dog-A-Thon, I think it's safe to raise our goal to 15 squillion. Gulp. Yes. 15 squillion.

We've had about 275 donations so far, which is so awesome, but with nearly 130,000 visiting the site in the past 30 days, that's just a drop in the bucket.

So to you remaining 129,725 people, please say hello to Selma and Francine.





They're just wondering when they'll be hearing from you.



To make a donation on-line, please click here.

To read a little bit more about the Dog-A-Thon, The Humane Society's walk for homeless pets, please click here.

And don't forget, one of you lucky folks who donates will receive a complete set of all the IBKC cards ever printed and will get to name one of our kittens too! More on that here.

EIGHT SQUILLION!!!

EEEEEEEEEK!!!! WE DID IT!

Thanks to YOU!!!!!

xoxoxo


PS Neville and Tressa to follow shortly.

Live From the IBKC Fundraiser! Featuring the Peabodys!

The Peabodys (of Pitter Pats fame) volunteered to take over the phones for a spell and give The Darlings a little break. The lovely and enchanting Bridget Peabody is working the tote board. How are we doing, Bridget?

Well, things are going great! We're just about $700 away from meeting our goal of $8000! I wouldn't be surprised at all if we hit our target today, and had to raise our goal AGAIN! Malcolm, how are things going over there in the phone banks?

The phones have been ringing off the hooks here this morning. Fluffy McPants from Walla Walla just made a pledge of $25.... Mr Mittens from Sheboygan just donated $50 and Princess... oh, she just called to find out if I was available. Wasn't sure if she meant available as in "adoptable" or as in "single" either way,, it's a yes. Now,, over to you, Raymond...

Thank you, Malcolm. You're doing a great job over there. Nice tux, by the way. We look like a couple of prom dates...

OK,, now seriously folks,,, I just wanted to let you know that as soon as we reach our $8000 goal, we've got a special treat for all of you out there in IBKC land. We've got an update and very sweet picture of IBKC alums, Tressa and Neville Lovejoy, which we will be posting as soon as we hit the mark! Now how's that for a little incentive?



CLICK HERE to make a donation to the IBKC fundraiser for the Humane Society of Tacoma/Pierce County.

Thanks to all of you for helping us reach our goal!