Mayors Column- Animal Welfare Association
The Animal Welfare Association of Voorhees has been named one of only 50 shelters nationwide to compete in the final 2014 ASPCA Rachael Ray 100K Challenge. The AWA will be competing to save at least 1,200 lives during the months of June, July and August.
The AWA also hopes to win the prize awarded for Community Engagement. Shelters do not save lives, people save lives. This challenge is a great way for our community to get involved to help connect hundreds of loving dogs and cats with the right families. Volunteers can help pick up and distribute marketing materials. They can also become Challenge Champions.
The AWA was founded in 1948 and was one of the first humane organizations formed by a group of volunteers to serve Camden County and the surrounding area. Located at 509 Centennial Boulevard in Voorhees, the AWA is a private, non-profit 501© 3 organization.
The AWA does not receive funds from the government, but relies upon local donations to fund their life saving programs. Through a variety of innovative programs, including adoptions, veterinary services, pet therapy, trap-neuter-return and humane education, the AWA strives to ensure that animal companionship is accessible to all.
The AWA recently opened a new 4,300 sq. ft. spay/neuter and pet wellness clinic on their redeveloped 9.9-acre lot. The new clinic replaces the antiquated 1974 clinic. It is much larger and is outfitted with a waiting room, exam rooms, 3-bay surgical suite, separate spacious dog and cat recovery rooms, laboratory preparation station and future space for dog training and education programs. The $1.5 million project is part of AWA’s two-phase capital improvement plan.
Through all of AWA’s programs and services, over 21,000 pets have been helped. The AWA is a private charity. All operating funds come from service fees and donations. Over $1.3 million must be donated each year to provide the services AWA provides to our community.
For more information about 2014 ASPCA Rachael Ray 100K Challenge or the great work being done by the AWA, visit www.awanj.org.
The first show in our 2014 Summer Twilight Series will be on Thursday, June 19 (rain date Sunday, June 22) and will feature Bruce in the USA, the world’s best tribute to Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. This high-energy musical experience is note-perfect and a visually active re-creation of a Springsteen concert. The show is free and starts at 7:30 p.m. on the “Great Lawn” at Connolly Park. For more information, visit www.voorheesnj.com.
The Ashley Paul Memorial Foundation will hold its Birthday Bash on Sunday, June 28 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Somerdale VFW, 10 Kennedy Boulevard in Somerdale. Ashley was a caring, vibrant young woman who was very involved in our community, coaching field hockey at the Voorhees Middle School and in the Voorhees Lacrosse Program. She was also involved in the Interact Club at Eastern. On June 29, 2012, Ashley passed away at the tender age of 20 after being involved in an ATV accident. The foundation will carry on Ashley’s spirit and will foster volunteerism and involvement in the Voorhees community. Tickets are $30 per person. Food, beer and soft drinks will be provided. For more information about the event or to make a donation, contact Bob Paul at 609–707–2162 or Brittney Fallstick at 856–906–6984, or visit www.facebook.com/memoryof.ashley.
