Greetings,
We pride ourselves with the many collaborations that are central to IM's mission. We work with lots of great organizations who share our passion for service, particularly those who work with seniors, refugees, disasters and interfaith dialogue.
One such organization is Houston's great SPCA. We have found common cause around helping the animals that bring so much joy to our homebound seniors. Each year individual donors and organizations like the SPCA donate loads of pet food so that we can use the money we raise primarily for the food our seniors eat. Almost all of our pet food is donated and it comes to about 40 tons per year.
For the entire month of June, we are partnering with the Houston SPCA on a cat and dog crate drive so that if our seniors have to evacuate this summer they will have appropriate ways to take their pets. Without this, many of our seniors refuse to go to a shelter for fear of losing their companion pets.
Animeals, IM's pet food delivery program, feeds 900 pets each month. More than 125 wonderful volunteers work with IM to assure that the dog and cat food is delivered monthly and also help us collect pet food all year long.
You can help in one of two ways: You can purchase a pet crate and donate it to IM through the SPCA or you can donate the cost of one (about $50). Click here to donate online or click here to find more information about drop off locations. Thank you for helping a senior make sure that his or her pet is well loved during the next hurricane.
A THOUGHT TO PONDER
As I was contemplating the lives of our brave soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country, I spent a bit of time looking at the wars of my lifetime and those who paid that price.
I turn 61 this year and over those years we have been at war for a total of 31 of them - just a bit over half of my lifetime. And during those many years, just over 100,000 men and women have perished.
We may choose to disagree with a particular engagement or war, but the truth is undeniable; the freedoms we hold dear are ours due to the bravery of a very select few who choose to serve and protect.
Our freedom, in large part, is a direct result of their readiness and willingness to act on our behalf. So while I pray for the day when we will beat our swords into plowshares, I also pray for those who have fallen and for those who serve. Because of them we have the chance to be free. Thank you all.
Talk to you in two weeks.
Elliot Gershenson
President and CEO
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston
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