This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
12/12/2018 08:00 AMHearing the town’s new police dog, Starr, was in training, a resident at The Madison House Skilled Nursing and Rehab Facility suggested there might be a need for a bulletproof vest for her when training’s complete. Caitlin Lynch, the recreation director at The Madison House, placed a call to the Madison Police Department to see if her residents could help meet that need.
“One resident happens to know an officer at the police department who was getting the new dog,” Lynch said. “We have a goal of $2,200 to meet and are working hard to meet that goal.
“They are so excited to be a part in helping the police department,” Lynch continued. “Most of them are from this community and a lot are also huge animal lovers, so anything to do with animals, they’re excited to be a part of. We’re keeping them as involved as possible and a lot of the fundraising ideas came from them.”
Several fundraisers will be held in order to help the residents reach that goal. Residents have been baking dog biscuits and making dog toys, which will be available during the Pet Photos with Santa fundraiser to be held Saturday, Dec. 15 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at The Madison House, 34 Wildwood Avenue. For a $10 donation, people can bring their friendly pets to The Madison House for a photo opportunity. They will get a digital copy of their photo as well as a hard copy of the photo, which will be mailed to them. There will be refreshments for pet owners, as well.
“Santa comes to visit our residents every year, but he agreed to do this for us this year, too,” Lynch said. “The residents have been working hard making the dog biscuits and toys to sell and they are very excited about the pet photos with Santa.”
Lynch is particularly excited about the event as she has always loved animals and has 35 animals at home, including three dogs, a rabbit, a bird, and a variety of reptiles. She notes that many of the residents love animals and that she brings hers in for visits throughout the year to celebrate different days, such as National Lizard Day, World Snake Day, Turtle Day, and more.
Lynch not only enjoys caring for animals, but creating art in their likeness as well. In her spare time, she creates commissioned pieces in pencil or wood-burning as well. Those skills will also benefit the fundraiser for Starr’s vest as raffle tickets for a custom pet portrait by Lynch are being sold at The Madison House and at the Town Clerk’s Office. Tickets are $3 or two for $5. The drawing will take place in early 2019. The winner can choose to have any pet portrayed.
The three current fundraisers are just the beginning of efforts that will be made by the residents at The Madison House in order to reach their goal of $2,200. More fundraisers will be announced in 2019, including a paint night.
“I love being part of things like this in the community because it gives the residents an opportunity to stay connected to their town,” said Lynch. “Most don’t have the opportunity to get out as we don’t have a bus so they aren’t getting out unless their families are bringing them. We do as much as we can with the police department and other groups and projects in town so they can maintain that connection.”
Fundraisers take place at The Madison House, 34 Wildwood Avenue, Madison. Cash and check donations will also be accepted (checks can be made out to The Madison House Resident Council). For more information, call 203-245-8008.