Page 4 - Martin Downs Bulletin - February '25

Page 4, Martin Downs

Good Works

The Pet Cottage Secures Ho-Ho-Hometown Heroes: of food to 3,729 children and
$15,000 Grant For Veterinary United Way’s Holiday 833 families during the two-
day event.
Expenses Supporting Forever Project Brings Joy To A standout highlight of
the Holiday Project was the
Guardianship Program Local Families donation of 523 brand-new
bicycles from Zweben Law
The Pet Cottage is thrilled to announce a generous For 36 years strong, United Way of Martin County has Group, a tradition they’ve
$15,000 grant from the Knopf Family Foundation dedicated been the heartbeat of holiday generosity, ensuring every upheld for 11 years. Thanks
to covering veterinary expenses for pets in our Forever child experiences festive magic through the United Way to their record-breaking
Guardianship program. This vital funding ensures that Holiday Project. contribution, more than half
pets who have lost their human due to death, disability, or As the local coordinating organization for the Marine of the participating families
deployment will continue to receive the care they deserve Corps Reserve Toys For Tots program, United Way saw a shiny new bike under
while living with their dedicated Forever Guardians. collaborates with the Martin County School District and their tree. Martin County Fire
“This grant represents a significant milestone for our over 45 nonprofit agencies, faith-based organizations, and Rescue lent a helping hand, In a decade-long commitment
organization,” said Wendy Derhak, founder/executive schools to screen and refer families who just need an extra assembling the bikes just in to helping Martin County
director of The Pet Cottage. “It reaffirms our mission to hand up during the holiday season. time for Santa’s delivery. families, Zweben Law Group
provide lifetime care and support for pets in need, and it Beginning in November, the Martin County Fairgrounds “We are incredibly proudly coordinated the
directly impacts their health and well-being. Veterinary care is is transformed into Santa’s Workshop, where more than 344 grateful for the support Zweben Law Group Bike
one of our most pressing expenses, and this funding allows us volunteers devoted 2,073 hours of their time to sort toys by we received this year,” Drive to make the holidays
to provide necessary medical services without compromise.” age, gender and price – giving families a personalized and said United Way of Martin extra special by covering the
The Forever Guardianship program is a cornerstone of The dignified shopping experience. Along with toys, families County President and CEO cost of 523 bikes. (Tara and
Pet Cottage’s mission. By pairing pets with loving Forever received fresh produce and groceries for a traditional Carol G. Houwaart-Diez. Gene Zweben)
Guardians, the program ensures each animal finds a stable, holiday meal. “With tornadoes having
nurturing home. This grant will be utilized to cover essential With the help of over 160 local businesses that serve as toy swept through our town just weeks prior, we knew many
veterinary needs, including routine check-ups, vaccinations, collection sites, United Way turned “Letters to Santa” into a families, beyond those already struggling, would need a
surgeries, and chronic condition management. reality, distributing more than 17,605 toys and 25,838 pounds little extra help this holiday season. Thanks to the kindness
Since its founding, The Pet Cottage has worked tirelessly of our community, we were able to bring joy and relief to
to support the emotional and physical needs of both pets and so many children and their families.”
their human guardians. With this funding, we can expand our This monumental effort was made possible by the
reach and continue to uphold the quality of care that defines generosity of local businesses, community organizations,
our organization. sponsors, and individual donors. United Way extends a
“This grant enables us to give our pets the healthiest lives
possible while easing the financial burden on their Forever
Guardians,” Wendy added. “We are deeply grateful to the
Knopf Family Foundation for believing in our mission and
investing in the futures of these beloved animals.”
The Pet Cottage invites the community to join us in
celebrating this incredible opportunity and to learn more
about how they can support our programs. Together, we can
make a lasting impact on the lives of pets and their humans.
For more information about The Pet Cottage and the Upon winning a bike, clients are allowed to select the size
Forever Guardianship program, please visit thepetcottage. and style of their child’s brand-new bike.
org or contact Wendy at wendy@thepetcottage.org.
About The Pet Cottage
The Pet Cottage is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
honoring the human-animal bond by providing lifetime care
for pets who have lost their human due to death, disability, Thank you to Wilmington Trust, Ashley Capital, Rubin &
or deployment. Through innovative programs like Forever Rubin, STS Aviation Group and Waste Management for
Guardianship, The Pet Cottage ensures pets find new loving sponsoring the project.
homes with individuals committed to their lifelong care.

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