Earlier this year, I worked very hard on trying to find new ways of making my shelter more self-sufficient - by filing for grants, getting our name out, participating in local humane society programs -- and while some helped a great deal (getting to know other humane organizations helped a bunch!) some didn't -- but I am very pleased to announce the following: For the United Way Campaign starting this October, The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea" will be included in BOTH the Virginia Peninsula 2000 Combined Federal Campaign and the South Hampton Roads 2000 Combined Federal Campaign -- and will be listed in the LOCAL section of the CFC brochure. This means that anyone participating in the United Way Federal Campaign for these areas can either select the shelter as the direct recipient for their donation, or the shelter can receive a portion of their donation if they check the "keep it local" choice. The areas covered are from Newport News, VA to Chesapeake and everything in between. If you are in the South Hampton Roads area, the United Way Agency number for The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea" is 8106; If you are on the Peninsula, the United Way agency number is 6207. This took a lot of work and a whole lot of scrutiny from both of the organizations' ruling committee -- and I hope that it will allow us to better care for the shelter ferrets. We won't know how successful this was for us until February 2001 -- but no matter what, I feel that it was worth it all just to get the word out about ferret shelters and the work that all shelters do. Thanks to everyone that participates and donates - even if not to The Ferret Haven - we appreciate every little bit! Lisa Leidig, Head Ferret The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea" http: www.ferrethaven.org Want to help The Ferret Haven By-the-Sea? Register at iGive.com by cutting and pasting this link: http://www.iGive.com/html/ssi.cfm?CID=1236&MID=854 [Posted in FML issue 3181]