Autumn Raulerson
reporter2@greenepublishing.com
The Madison Woman’s Club held their monthly meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8. Keynote speaker Julie Pries, from the Suwannee Valley Humane Society, spoke to the club about some of the recent efforts made to improve the lives of animals, and to request volunteers. Pries thanked member Rhoda “Tootie” Walley for the invitation to speak — Tootie has been a volunteer at the shelter for many years.
“What is a cat’s favorite color?” Pries asked the club. One woman knew the answer: “Purrrrple.”
“When a dog has a fever, what should you feed them?” Pries joked. This one stumped everyone. The answer was as silly as it was clever: “Mustard, it’s the best thing for hotdogs.”
Pries talked about the shelter’s thrift store, volunteers and members are what keep the organization afloat. The 501 3(c) non-profit organization does not receive any assistance from the state or federal government or related programs. They survive only on the “heart of the residents of our community,” said Pries.
“The thrift store plays a vital part in supporting the shelter,” Pries explained. Unfortunately, a lack of volunteers means the thrift store can only be open for limited hours. Since opening, the Suwannee Valley Humane Society has helped over 6,000 cats and dogs. They have started a membership program, where residents can choose to donate $15 or $20 a year to the shelter as “members.” Pries explained that it’s basically a donation program, giving members access to their newsletter as well.
The Humane Society accepts donations for the animals as well as donations of any kind for the thrift store — appliances, furniture, clothes or anything else is greatly appreciated. Volunteers can work in the thrift store, or help take care of or socialize the animals. Anyone interested in volunteering may contact the Humane Society at (850) 971-9904. The thrift store is open Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. All proceeds earned from the thrift store support the shelter.
After Pries’ presentation, President Regina Alai presented the club’s new pamphlets and some of their plans for the near future. She also introduced two new members, Mary Heidel and Pauline Good. The club is preparing for their “gift card tree” that will be presented at Light Up Madison. Alai also said she plans to join the Junior Auxiliary Club at their next meeting to discuss the groups partnering together to host some exciting community events, like “Loco Bingo.” There are several exciting events being planned by the Woman’s Club for the holidays, and they continue to make donations to community organizations all the while.
The Madison Woman’s Club is one of the oldest service organizations in Madison County. The club undertakes several community service projects throughout the year, ranging from providing school supplies, helping to stock local food pantries to providing food and other supplies to Madison County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services and the local Humane Society. The club meets in the Madison Woman’s Club Building, located at 345 SE Lakeshore Dr., in Madison, on the second Thursday of each month, from September to May, at 11:30 a.m.