MANCHESTER, NH — Laura Gilman, Event Coordinator for the Manchester Animal Shelter, and volunteer Kathy Wentworth, say the annual plant sale, to be held June 2, is one of the most popular events in support of the shelter. It is one of several initiatives that provides much-needed funding to sustain their mission of sheltering animals and placing them in forever homes.
“One hundred percent of the proceeds will be going to the shelter. This money will go towards paying for things like veterinary bills and care, shelter expenses, food and supplies. In the past we’ve fund-raised about $20,000 from the plant sale,” said Gilman
This year marks the twelfth year the Manchester Animal Shelter will be holding its annual plant sale and raffle. Volunteers and friends of the shelter invite the public to stop by between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. to support the shelter and purchase from their selection of locally grown and donated plants and flowers. Cash and credit cards will be accepted the day of the sale.
All plants and flowers have been grown locally by volunteers and donated for the cause. A selection of perennials, sedum, columbine, peonies, hastas, herbs, vegetables and succulents will be available for purchase. In addition, a raffle will be held offering prizes ranging from gift cards, bird houses built by local students from the Hillside Builder’s Club and other crafted items.
Gilman and Wentworth gave credit to their second longest-running volunteer, Maria Remillard, for starting this event 12years ago. Remillard, an avid gardener, had a deep love for animals and wanted to put together an event to bring people together while raising money for the shelter.
The Friends of the Manchester Animal Shelter offer one fundraising event per month. Upcoming events include the 13th Annual Cruisin’ for Critters motorcycle ride, and the 8th Annual Mutt Strut.
Gilman and Wentworth both have a personal connection to the shelter, which is how they each got involved as volunteers.
“About 16 or 17 years ago I found a stray cat in my backyard. I took her in and brought her to the vet to get checked out. She didn’t like other cats very much, but I’ve been fostering animals ever since,” said Wentworth. “I met Maria and we became friends. We both love to garden and I’ve been volunteering for the shelter and the plant sale for eight out of its twelve years. We’re lucky the people in the community are giving and supportive of the shelter. 150 volunteers are operating to keep the shelter going.”
Gilman says she was inspired to volunteer to help make sure the shelter provides a positive experience for those in the community who seek their services.
“I’m the event coordinator for the shelter. My family always adopted and knew about the shelter. A few years back I showed up and had a not-so-wonderful interaction with a volunteer. Instead of giving up, I wanted to be the change I wanted to see in our volunteers,” said Gilman
When considering volunteer activities and causes to donate to, the Friends of the Manchester Animal shelter is proud of its track record when it comes to making sure local animals find their forever families:
- In 1996, the Manchester Animal Shelter became a no-kill shelter.
- Every animal that enters the shelter gets spayed, neutered microchipped and vaccinated
- 25,000 animals have been cared for by the shelter since 1996
- Since 2016, about 500 missing animals have been safely found and returned to their owners by the shelter
- Other services aside from adoption are offered, including a pet food pantry
- About 800 cats are fixed per year by the Manchester Animal Shelter
- The shelter offers free spaying, neutering and microchipping for pitbulls (pitbulls have become the biggest population of strayed and abandoned dogs in the city. Spaying and neutering can help reduce the population of the homeless or stray population)
The shelter, located at 490 Dunbarton Road in Manchester, will be fully operational the day of the plant sale and is still in need of plant donations for the day. Please email plantsale@manchesteranimalshelter.org if you are interested in donating!
