Making a Difference in Hillsborough, Donations Made to Area Shelter

By Patricia Yannotta

The Manville-Hillsborough Elks #2119 presented the Plainfield Area Humane Society with 10 Spay/Neuter vouchers for 10 dogs awaiting adoption. Several lodge members, including those from the Lodge’s Motorcycle Committee presented the certificates with one rescue dog, “Izzy” onboard on one of the motorcycles.

“If left unaltered, cats and dogs produce large quantities of unwanted litters, flooding local animal shelters and leading to high euthanasia rates. By taking this proactive approach to getting the animals fixed, spay and neuter programs help lessen the impact to local shelters and the numbers of strays,” said lodge and Committee member Scott Mikaelian. “The grant also allowed us to purchase vaccines and microchip services for adopted pets and support the NJSPCA in their critical mission to protect our friends,” he added.

The grant was awarded by the Elks National Foundation (ENF) and is one that must be used to fund an ongoing, Elks-led charitable project that benefits the community. The Elks National Foundation works with individual lodges throughout the US to raise funds and awareness and then redistributes the funds through grants, scholarships and other programs.

Part of the grant money also helped the Lodge host its 3rd annual “Pet Adoption & Community Day” in May, an event that raised additional funds that were donated to the NJ SPCA on the day of the event.

The event also provided an opportunity for area animal shelters and rescue groups to connect with the local community and promote awareness of the abundance of shelter and foster animals awaiting adoption and the value of pet ownership to families and specifically families in need of companionship for veterans and children with special needs. More than a dozen shelters participated in the event and many shelter pets were adopted as a result.

“The support that we receive from the community at these events is critical to our success. Our members donate hours upon hours to those in need,” said Joe Homyak, PER and ENF Chair for the Lodge.

The Manville-Hillsborough Elks hosts several events throughout the year to raise funds and awareness for special needs children, veterans, drug prevention, Army of Hope and also sponsors scholarship funds and various other charities.

For additional information, please contact the lodge at 908-725-1717.

Photo: Manville-Hillsborough Elks Lodge #2119 volunteers and the Lodge’s Motorcycle Committee who presented 10 “Friends of Animals” Spay/Neuter certificates to the Plainfield Area Humane Society. These certificates will be used by the PAHS on animals in need or awaiting adoption. Funds for the certificates were made possible by an Elks National Foundation Grant. Pictured are (Left to right) Dave Argen, Scott Mikaelian, Joan Leib, “Izzy” the dog, Ed Leib, Kurt Schreckengost, Scott Shuleski, John Fidler, Kurt Hemminger, PAHS Manager, Gregg Robinson, Roseanna Schenck, Animal Control Officer; Wayne Booth, Jim Delacruz, and Patty Yannotta.