Saturday, December 20, 2008

Year in Review

It seems that in the blink of an eye another year has slipped by. We have experienced happiness and have overcome tragedies. We have been messengers and teachers, spreading the word, hoping some person may be listening. Countless Meet and Greets, special day events, a golf tournament, car washes and more. Time has been given up by volunteers who stage these events and help out. Time that could be spent doing something else. Then why do we do these things? The belief that we are making a difference some how? Is it that introduction you just made to some one's first greyhound? The smile on that child's face as they pet one? There are many different reasons why, but the answer is always the same. THE PAYOFF. It's that feeling when a connection is made with someone else over the passion that consumes most of us. The feeling that we are some how making a difference. It's the reason we believe. It's the bell we hear. I'll finish this with a quote from the Polar Express:

"At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe."

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Dec 13th Haul

Six Super greys are leaving Orlando on Friday Dec 12th. They will be arriving in Virginia on Saturday morning. What a special Christmas they will have this year. December is always a very busy time for everyone and we would like to thank all our volunteers that helped make this haul happen. We could not have accomplished this without your hard work!


Please keep the dogs and Pat, the haul driver, in your thoughts as they begin their trip north Friday evening.

Thank you.



Sunday, December 7, 2008

Christmas Parade December 6, 2008 Fredericksburg, Va.

What better way to spend a Saturday night than dressing up your hounds and yourself, getting in your vehicles and heading downtown. You are now at a parade site. The temperature is in the upper 20's, the snow is falling, and the wind is howling. When you arrive, what to your wondering eyes do appear, but a bunch of you friends who also bought their dressed up reindeer (I mean greyhounds) to join you. You do all this not because you have to, but because you want to. You walk the streets to see the smiling faces, the waving, and then it becomes clear why you are there. Suddenly you are no longer cold. The wind has stopped, you find yourself smiling too. Maybe it's not about the receiving of gifts, but the giving of yourself. Maybe Grandma was right after all.

Seems Like Yesterday......Borders Part 2

A few days later, and it's back on the table. More gifts, more wrapping, more donations. As the season gets busier, so does VAGA. Another thanks to those who volunteered their time and efforts. It's good to see, that even in these economic times, the generosity shown by people to help out. It's a joy to see the smiles on the kid's faces as they stop to pet Roxy, Tempest, and Ally. For many this is their first contact with a Greyhound. Hope it makes their holidays a bit brighter.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Wrap it Up

Before the leftover turkey is gone the gift giving season is upon us. December is a busy time for families, especially for VAGA volunteers. Just check out the event calendar HERE. From Leesburg to Newport News volunteers are busy with Meet & Greets, Parades, Gift wrapping and more. Below is the first, in what I am sure will be a series, of photo events. This one was staged in Fredericksburg on Sunday November 30th at Borders.
Thanks to everyone who showed up to help out with the wrapping. A special thanks to Tempest and Roxy for being the perfect greyhound ambassadors.