Campaign runs Dec. 3-31
By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
The Staffworks Fund’s annual Save A Life campaign is once again lending a paw to organizations dedicated to caring for animals. Between Dec. 3 and 31, Staffworks will match donations to 29 organizations across 13 counties, including seven in Onondaga County: Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse, CNY Cat Coalition, CNY SPCA, Helping Hounds Dog Rescue, HumaneCNY, Second Chance Canine Adoption Shelter and Spay and Neuter Syracuse.
Anita Vitullo, founder and president of Staffworks Inc., joined representatives from local animal rescues Nov. 27 for the campaign kickoff.
“The sole mission of the fund is to take care of at-risk animals,” Vitullo said.
The Staffworks Fund, which Vitullo established in 2005 through the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, will match donations to each organization dollar for dollar up to $10,000. The fund will further contribute $1,000 for each additional $5,000 raised up to $100,000. If an organization raises $100,000, the Staffworks Fund will award a $2,000 bonus. Participating organizations can receive up to $30,000 from the Staffworks Fund alone.
Last year, the Save A Life campaign raised $680,000.
“I have no doubt this will be a million-dollar campaign overall,” Vitullo said.
The Save A Life campaign kicked off on #GivingTuesday, Dec. 3. Donations made through Facebook would be matched by the social media giant, which pledged to give up to $7 million nationwide.
“We were just ecstatic when we learned Facebook was willing to match,” said Christine McNeely, executive director of HumaneCNY. “We advocate donations through Facebook because they do not take fees out.”
Vitullo said the key to solving the problems of animal overpopulation, disease and abuse is spaying and neutering pets.
“We can’t rescue our way out of this problem,” said Peggy Ries, board member of Spay and Neuter Syracuse (SANS). “We rely a lot on donations and the ability to get this extra money gives us the chance to serve even more of our community.”
Ries said spaying and neutering animals has more benefits than just addressing overpopulation of strays, including reducing aggression and incidence of cancer.
“Animals that are spayed or neutered are more well-behaved,” she said. “They don’t spray or mark their territory.”
Erin Zacholl, director of fund development for Helping Hounds, said her organization is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and is hoping to move into its new building off Taft Road in January 2020.
“We provide a compassionate approach to dog rescue,” Zacholl said.
Donations such as those made through the Save A Life campaign will allow Helping Hounds to expand its humane education program and provide respite care for pet owners going through a crisis, Zacholl said.
“This is an absolutely wonderful campaign. We’re thrilled to be a part of it,” Zacholl said.
Dee Schaefer, humane educator for CNY SPCA, said the CNY SPCA has taken in 500 animals from cruelty cases in 2019 alone.
“It’s a huge help for our animals,” she said of the campaign. “It shows me that the animal community is willing to work together instead of trying to stand against each other. Working together solves problems.”
For a list of organizations participating in the Staffworks Fund’s Save A Life campaign, visit facebook.com/StaffworksCNY.