Hey there!

This place has been too quiet for too long! So we're going to get back to using this space to keep you updated on APL goings-on. OK? OK.

Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed the holidays!

The ACAPL Board of Directors is currently putting our schedule of events together for this year. If you have an idea for an event that you think would be a good fit for the APL, please let me know and we will see if it fits with our goals, availability, etc.

Speaking of the calendar, please keep an eye on the calendar on the website. It will be a list of those events we have committed to participating in. We are making some changes this year...eliminating some events and taking on new ones. Three of the new events that we are committing to are the PetSmart National Adopt-a-thons. These dates are February 11-13, April 29-May 1, Sept. 9-11, and November 11-13. We are specifically looking for representatives for Fridays and Saturdays during these events. We would very much like to operate at both the Adopt-a-thons AND our regular Ashtabula Towne Square Adoption Center...but if we do not get enough volunteers, we will close the mall store during these weekends. The PetSmart Adopt-a-thons are VERY important to the future success of ACAPL and we MUST be as involved as humanly possible. If you can spare time to volunteer on any of these weekends, please let our Volunteer Coordinators, Carla and Rich Madarena, know.

Members, please note that the annual membership meeting will be February 13th at 2pm at the shelter.

I have been asked to beg everyone to keep those unwanted Christmas items, or those old items that maybe were replaced at Christmastime...for Garage Sale Bonanza! We need to think ahead to save stuff to sell to raise money for the APL. This is our second biggest fundraiser every year and we need everyone's help finding those donations.

Speaking of fundraisers. Our biggest fundraiser of the year, Boo Wow, is planning to start looking for a "title" sponsor for this year's walk. This would ideally be a "major" sponsor willing to make at least a $5,000 donation. If you know of any corporations that might be interested in such a partnership, please let me know and we will make arrangements to meet with the appropriate people in charge.

Boo Wow is also looking for "grand" prizes for this year. We would like to get at least one prize to inspire people to go out and get those donations for the APL. Plane tickets...a car...something BIG. Again, if you know of anyone who might be willing to make such a donation, please let me know.

Huge thanks to everyone who helped at the mall Saturday (1/15) with the puppy adoption event! 17 adoptions (all the Chi/Dach, all the Husky mix, and one Shepherd mix) in one day!

I am working on the next installment of our quarterly newsletter. If anyone has anything they would like to contribute, please email it to me at catherine@acapl.org

That's it for now! I'll be in touch!