Follow the Construction Progress on the New Cottage...
Groundbreaking July 26, 2024!
CREATING A SPACE TO GROW
Friday July 26th was the first step in the construction of our new forever home! The turnout to see this milestone was heartwarming. We had staff, volunteers, board members, donors large and small and even representatives from Elmwood Park Zoo! As the channel 6 news van pulled up to video the occasion, we could see each person brimming with excitement and pride.
A sense of community and shared purpose permeated the air as the speeches were given, highlighting the hard work and dedication that had brought us to this point. As the first shovel hit the ground, a cheer went up from the crowd. It was more than just the beginning of construction; it was a testament to what could be achieved when people came together with a common goal. The new cottage would soon stand as a beacon of hope, a place of respite and joy for all who would visit.
We toasted our achievement, exchanged stories of the Cottage with friends old and new, and explored the tired old building that will soon be transformed into our dream facility. While donors spoke of their passion for the project, our builder and architects were sharing how this transformation would occur. We were all so very happy to make this first step but it is just the beginning...
Progress is happening!
The first steps are being completed!
Clearing out the old, getting ready for the new!
The existing building is an old Vet hospital that is being retro fitted for our Shelter's needs!
Stripping the building to the studs, removing the old walls, and pulling out the old windows.
Once this stage is completed, we'll update you on the next step. A new second half added onto the back of the existing building!
With your continued help, we can keep this project moving smoothly and complete our Wishlist for necessary items. So far, we've managed to hit our $800,000 mark on our way to $1 million! It's not too late to join in on the goal getting! Thank you so much to the Supporters who have already helped us get to where we are now, find your name on our "Thank You" portion of the Capital Campaign page. (Please let us know if it's not on there, Dino has been typing very hard, but Lefty likes to hit the delete button...)
Next up...walls!
It's been a little while since we last updated you on the status of our new furrever home. We have been stopping by the new location weekly and have seen the progress in action. The site of the building addition was graded after new drain lines were added. The trees were limbed up to remove the overgrowth leaving plenty of space for wildlife. Next came the digging for the footers. We were so excited to see the workers in action and watched as the plans we worked on for so long started to take shape right before our eyes. Monday November 4th was the best day yet as the new slab was poured and leveled. With every new milestone we get closer to our new home and all that comes with it - room for more adults, a separate area for tending to fosters and new intakes, a separate room with separate ventilation for our medical cases that need to be in isolation and a better home overall for the animals we care for on a daily basis. "Thank You" to every one of our supporters who are helping to make this dream come true.
Check us out on 6ABC and NBC10!
