Aunt Shoalanda Wants You! (To Volunteer at the Florence Shelter)

By now, you've probably seen the photos of the wretched conditions at the Florence Animal Shelter. We're not going to talk about what's wrong at this time. We're going to discuss what's right and what we all can do to make things better.

What's Right:

1. The new Florence Animal Shelter will be a reality around November of this year! Many of the problems we're now seeing at the old shelter will not be present in the new facility. Thanks to all who have made this a reality (and hisses to former Mayor Mickey Haddock who nodded as Florence proverbially burned).

2. Mayor Holt and the current city council members who have worked to make this finally come to pass. Extra props to Mayor Holt who is attempting to sort out what's wrong at the current shelter.

What's Needed:

1. Civics Teachers - Yes, civics and other teachers to assign volunteer work to some strapping football players and other strong high school students. Give them some extra points for volunteering to feed and water the animals, as well as neatly stack all the junk on the shelter grounds.

2. Mark Linder - We'll happily praise UNA's athletic director if he'll only pass down the word to various coaches to have their students take on the more physical chores at the shelter. Have them volunteer one day a week. We'll make sure they not only receive kudos from the shelter staff, we'll praise them here on our blog.

3. Sunday School Teachers - Tell your teens and young adults what a great opportunity volunteering at the shelter is to earn stars in their crowns. Homo Sapien children aren't the only ones Jesus loved.

4. Local Businesses - It hasn't been that long since a Russellville business volunteered its employees to clean up Franklin County roadways. Isn't there a business in Lauderdale County, or two or three or more, that has the occasional down day? Send your employees to the shelter to work.

Obviously, there are others out there who are young and able-bodied to assist at the shelter. If you're not that young anymore, you can at least feed and water the animals and sweep droppings off the walkways. You can also donate supplies: bleach, paper towels, brooms, mops, etc. 

Together we can have a nice shelter until we move into the new one. Then we'll have a fantastic shelter. Let's do it!

*****

And now a word from Prince...

"If you don't do what Shoalanda says, I'll biiiiiite you!"