Don's "$750 Match Game for Animals" Is Back!

It's that time of the year again -- the season for giving. Yes, there'll always be those who think the holidays are about receiving -- how much can I get and acquire -- but there are many

wonderful people out there who consider the less fortunate...the hurting...the displaced...the malnourished...the abused...the homeless. It is these less fortunate I think about, and that's why I am again rolling out the Facebook "$750 Match Game for Animals" initiative. This is an increase from last year, but with your help we can meet this goal!

While I regularly donate throughout the year to animal organizations and programs to benefit animals, the $750 Match Game for Animals is intended to hike the return on investment: I will match up to a total of $375 during this holiday season that is donated to agreed-upon organizations/shelters/causes/programs that benefit animals. Specifically: ■For the Match Game to reach its greatest success, a total of $750 will be raised and donated to animal entities as defined above. ■$375 is my commitment to the Match Game; the additional $375 will come from 15 individual donors. ■The Match Game seeks 15 donors committing $25 to a cause as defined, that will be agreed upon and matched by me. That means $50 will collectively go to 15 different organizations/shelters/causes/programs. ■A donation to 15 different entities means a chance to direct funds to so many animal groups that need help.

• You cannot donate to an organization with which you're personally affiliated.

• Proof of your own donation to the cause is required for me to match it.
  

• Lastly, please properly vet and understand the organization/shelter/cause/program to which you're donating and asking me to match. Remember, we want to help animals, not bankroll administrators. Please consider researching your interest via www.charitynavigator.org.

I hope you will recognize the importance of this interest and contribute now and in the future to the animals. Thank you!

OUTCOME:

This year's "$750 Match Game for Animals" was a success, as we reached our holiday donation goal! Fifteen donors had their $25 donations matched, benefiting 15 unique animal-related organizations/causes. I want to thank the following people and the benefiting recipient organizations, in no particular order: LaVon Judd LeGrand Susan H. Call (2) Mae George Mindy Brown Melissa Huggins Candace Ward Dianne Dorado Arp Elizabeth Darovic Carole Sax Avery Saenz Arati Moses (Additional donors below). Groups included Pet Rescue by Judy; Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter (KY); Arizona Humane Society; Rikki's Refuge; Animal Rescue of Tracy; Tranquility Trail Animal Sanctuary; DAWGS of Texas; Neigh Savers Foundation; Animal Transport Animal Rescue Team; Rescue Me Clifford; Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation of Texas; International Anti-Poaching Foundation; Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS); West Suburban Humane Society (IL); Humane Society of the United States.

Many of these organizations exist only due to public donations. Their efforts to help animals are buoyed by the generosity of those who care about animals and their welfare. I gratefully appreciate all those included above and below for giving back this holiday season. Please encourage others throughout the year to help animals through donations of dollars, volunteer service, and goods. And please know your political candidates come election time so animal protection and welfare are best represented!

An example of a fundraising effort Don Scott regularly launched for nonprofit animal welfare organizations.