Pet shelter 'writes' new chapter on fundraising, which remains a challenge for nonprofits

Kathy Borlik
·4 min read
The Marshall County Humane Society recently partnered with author David Rosenfeld to auction off the name of a character in one of his upcoming novels as a fundraiser for the animal shelter.
The Marshall County Humane Society recently partnered with author David Rosenfeld to auction off the name of a character in one of his upcoming novels as a fundraiser for the animal shelter.

Fundraising is a tough game. Ask any charity. It takes a plan, ingenuity, time, staff and volunteers. From fancy galas to an afternoon of bowling, a fundraiser can keep a charity afloat.

The charities always are hoping to find people who share the mission. Finding an event that gets people out and contributing.

For example, the Marshall County Humane Society counts on a core of community members who support the shelter. The Humane Society has a few events throughout the year, such as a casino night. (They call it “catsino,” and that should be applauded.) After COVID, fundraising was more challenging.

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Director Nancy Cox said a small budget and lots of animals make for some pacing and wringing of hands. What will they need to do next? Nancy and a few friends developed an idea with a well-known author to auction a character in a book. All this was done through the wonders of the internet.

The Humane Society posted the auction on Facebook over a recent weekend. It got some attention from supporters and a little bidding war started. In the end the Humane Society raised $2,500.

Marshall County Humane Society Executive Director Nancy Cox and Mango share a good moment. Mango was a stray that required a lot of attention.
Marshall County Humane Society Executive Director Nancy Cox and Mango share a good moment. Mango was a stray that required a lot of attention.

Nancy said the amount is a nice cushion and gives the society some breathing room through the winter.

How did this all start? Nancy said one of the shelter’s friends is Linda Candler, of South Bend. Linda approached her with the idea. Linda is a fan of author David Rosenfelt, who writes Andy Carpenter novels. Andy is an attorney and a dog lover.

David Rosenfelt is the author of the Andy Carpenter series of novels about the titular lawyer and dog rescuer. Rosenfelt is involved in animal rescue and helps shelters to raise money by auctioning off character names in his books.
David Rosenfelt is the author of the Andy Carpenter series of novels about the titular lawyer and dog rescuer. Rosenfelt is involved in animal rescue and helps shelters to raise money by auctioning off character names in his books.

David lives in Maine and has written more than 20 novels with the doggie/crime theme. “I made Andy a dog rescuer because I am. It wasn’t until the sixth book ('Play Dead') that a dog had anything to do with the plot. So they put a dog on the cover, and it doubled previous sales. Suffice it to say that since then, there has been a dog on the cover of every book,” David said.

He has auctioned off the naming rights for several years, and they have gone for more than $10,000.

Linda saw a notable note in one of the books. “On the final page, he said will help raise funds for shelters by selling a character in a future book. I wrote to him,” and that got the ball rolling, Linda said.

Gina Covey, of South Bend, saw the value of this online event. “I was going to go big or go home.” She was going to win this.

Gina said she saw one of his books on the shelf. “I read one and then read more. David had 27 dogs and moved from California to Maine. He rescued dogs. He got me.”

Dr. Mariah Covey, Gina Covey and dog friends pose for a selfie. Gina Covey participated in bidding to have her daughter’s name used in a novel by David Rosenfeld, who writes the Andy Carpenter crime novels. The proceeds benefit the Marshall County Humane Society.
Dr. Mariah Covey, Gina Covey and dog friends pose for a selfie. Gina Covey participated in bidding to have her daughter’s name used in a novel by David Rosenfeld, who writes the Andy Carpenter crime novels. The proceeds benefit the Marshall County Humane Society.

Gina and her veterinary daughter, Dr. Mariah Covey, have rescued numerous dogs. “Many are old and broken. Mariah does everything for them.” They are dog people.

Mariah will be a character in the upcoming book by David Rosenfelt. Dr. C. said it is all about shelters and helping them out. She is all good with the attention.

Mom Gina said everyone on her Christmas list will get a book. Fair warning.

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In other fundraising news, The Acting Ensemble and WNDU’s Gary Sieber teamed up to sell his book of weather-related poetry for the theater group.

WNDU's Gary Sieber sorted through 5,000 weather poems for the book “The Weather Could Be Verse.” Sales from it benefit The Acting Ensemble.
WNDU's Gary Sieber sorted through 5,000 weather poems for the book “The Weather Could Be Verse.” Sales from it benefit The Acting Ensemble.

Melissa Gard, executive director of the ensemble, said Gary’s book has been successful and it continues to sell. The book was one of those ideas that worked. “Raising money for the arts is fickle” because large organizations may garner more support. The smaller groups are on the sideline. “We count on volunteers who share the love of theater.”

The box office take doesn’t cover a lot of costs, she said.

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A cat gets petted at the Meow Mission, an all-volunteer, nonprofit trap, neuter and return organization.
A cat gets petted at the Meow Mission, an all-volunteer, nonprofit trap, neuter and return organization.

In cat news, the Meow Mission is an all-volunteer, nonprofit trap, neuter and return group. Jodi Aker, president, said nearly 1,400 cats were spayed or neutered last year. That prevents a lot of suffering and kittens.

“We have a core group of 40 volunteers," she said. "We don’t receive government money and we don’t have a money tree out back.”

A cat gets some attention at Meow Mission on Mishawaka Avenue in South Bend.
A cat gets some attention at Meow Mission on Mishawaka Avenue in South Bend.

Meow Mission has several fundraisers a year and sends an appeal letter. It is an uphill climb. “Some people don’t like cats. I tell them if you don’t like cats, you should give us more money. We are preventing cats from being born,” Jodi joked. “This isn’t about fuzzy kittens. It is about feral cats.”

In the long run, Jodi said, “It is all about finding a niche and helping.”

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A Rosie Place for Children is a not-for-profit specialty hospital for children who are medically fragile. The director is Tieal Bishop. One of the hospital’s big events will be a gala dinner and dance before Valentine’s Day.

Tieal said they have several angels in the community who have stepped up to support the mission. “We have to think critically about how to do a better job, to think ahead. It is about the passion for the cause.”

Most charities have websites with donation buttons or wish lists. Or maybe there is a contact number with additional information. Find a cause. Help where you can.

Kathy Borlik
Kathy Borlik

Contact Kathy at kfborlik@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Marshall County Humane Society David Rosenfeld auction off name for novel