To the editor:

As a sporadic volunteer at the Foothills Humane Society, I am blown away each time I go there. The care and compassion that is shown to these abandoned and sometimes abused animals is amazing. I decided to do a fundraiser in order to help out with what has to be a staggering amount of money needed to continue such extraordinary work.

It was not until I started to work on my fundraiser that I realized that the people in this community are just as caring and compassionate about our animals.

I went to Mountain First Bank in Columbus and talked to Mr. Pannell, vice-president and branch manager about holding my fundraiser at the bank. He not only quickly agreed, but offered all kinds of help.

I stopped by McKinsey Printing and talked with owner, Steve McKinsey. He graciously donated his time and some supplies that I would need for this project.

We are all very blessed to live in an area with such great people and great businesses. Not a single animal at the shelter can do anything to support either business and yet these two businessmen did not hesitate to help out.

My fundraiser will run at the Columbus branch Mountain First Bank through Wednesday, March 6. One hundred percent of the donations go to Foothills Humane Society. I hope you all will stop by and help me to help the animals at our shelter.

– Dee Owen, Columbus