Recognizing our prime Sweat for Pets Fundraiser from Sudbury – Lee!
Volunteers are on the coronary heart of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. The work we do shouldn’t be attainable with out the continued assist of the unbelievable people who pour themselves into serving to animals throughout the province. Lee Duguid is the right instance of the kind-hearted individuals who make the work of the Ontario SPCA attainable.
Lee began fundraising for the Ontario SPCA’s Buddies for Life! Stroll™ in Sudbury in 1993. Now Sweat for Pets, the marketing campaign goals to encourage folks of all ages to set a private health objective and have enjoyable, whereas elevating funds to assist in giving animals in want a second likelihood. Funds raised by means of Sweat for Pets assist life-changing work, offering animals with medical care and shelter till they discover new properties.
Study extra about Sweat for Pets.
Virtually 30 years Supporting the Ontario SPCA
Lee had initially solely deliberate on being a “one-timer,” elevating cash to qualify for the prize of an Ontario SPCA t-shirt in her first yr. “However after 4 years I used to be nonetheless going out beating doorways down,” she says. Now in 2022, this was Lee’s twenty ninth yr taking part within the fundraiser, and he or she raised a whopping $14,008.40, bringing her whole fundraising quantity for the Ontario SPCA to over $145,000.
Lee remembers many tales of her years elevating cash for the animals. “I as soon as had somewhat lady run over to me and say, ‘I solely have two {dollars}, is that okay?’ I mentioned, ‘Sweetheart, it’s from the guts; completely it’s okay.”
This yr, Lee says she was impressed that everyone was very sort and so giving. “By the tip of August everybody was giving $20. It was wonderful! We walked away one Sunday with round $1,100,” says Lee, who by no means imagined elevating over $14,000 in a single yr. “Hats off to those that donated. I’m solely the collector as a result of the animals can’t do it themselves. I simply do what I do and I‘m actually proud that I may increase this a lot cash,” says Lee.
Elevating cash within the warmth, chilly and rain
Lee spends her days strolling up and down streets, canvassing door to door in Azilda, Chelmsford and Dowling, elevating funds for the Ontario SPCA Sudbury & District Animal Centre. She additionally stations herself exterior of native companies that additionally see the worth in giving again to the neighborhood.
“Individuals don’t have a clue what I’m going by means of to get that cash, strolling up and down streets,” she says. “There may be a lot sacrifice between the warmth, the chilly, the rain and the wind, however I at all times have a schedule and I persist with my schedule.”
One afternoon this August, simply earlier than the lengthy weekend, Lee was out at 3 p.m. elevating cash. “A giant gust of wind comes and knocks every part off my desk,” Lee remembers. “My clipboard fell aside, all my donation papers flew away, I nearly sat down and cried.”
After two younger males graciously stopped to assist her, Lee referred to as a pal to return by. He asks, “Do you need to hand over?” and Lee responds, “No, I’m going till 5:30.”
Lee acquired two extra donations that afternoon, “I sat there for 2 hours for $30.” However even that $30 could make a distinction in an animal’s life. “It’s the animals that I do that for,” says Lee.
We’re so grateful to Lee, and to all of our supporters, fundraising for animals throughout the province.
Learn extra about Lee’s story right here.