GWIL2015 Nonprofit Profile: DS Community Mission Partnership Reply

Week of Online Giving 2015
April 19-26

The 2015 Givin’ Where I’m Livin’ (GWIL) campaign provides support and publicity for local non-profit charitable organizations competing for GWIL matching funds during the campaign’s Week of Online Giving, April 19-26. Around Dripping Springs is pleased to feature this series of GWIL non-profit profiles to help publicize their unique missions to the community. We invite you to get to know these wonderful organizers and learn more about the important work they are each doing to enrich our community. Please share their stories, and be sure to donate to your favorite during the Week of Online Giving! Learn more at: http://www.GivinWhereImLivin.org

NOW MEET THE DRIPPING SPRINGS COMMUNITY MISSION PARTNERSHIP:

WHEN, HOW, AND WHY WAS YOUR ORGANIZATION FOUNDED?

During the winter of 2010, Chuck Lemmond, a local builder and coordinator for community help projects for the Dripping Springs United Methodist Church, received a call for help. A young, recently widowed mother of five children ages twelve and under had frozen pipes in her mobile home. Upon examining her issue, Chuck realized plumbing was the least of her problems. There was black mold on the walls, a leak in the roof, and sky peaking through the walls. 

Chuck fixed her immediate plumbing issue, and told the mother that he didn’t know how he was going to do it, but he was going to find her a new home. And with that promise, DSCMP was born. We are now a community of volunteers from businesses, churches, and individuals who are seeking to meet the needs of families in crisis in the Dripping Springs Independent School District (ISD). We focus on helping under-served local people acquire liveable housing and improve life skills. Over the last five years, DSCMP has assisted more than a dozen families in the DSISD. We are a completely volunteer 501c3 non-profit and rely on the resources of our community to help our neighbors.

WHAT IS YOUR PRIMARY MISSION?

More than one in four children who attend Dripping Springs ISD live below the poverty level. There will always be needs to be met in places like Afghanistan, Africa, Haiti, and so many other areas hit by calamity around the world. Many of us will participate in a mission overseas to help those in need far away. DSCMP also wants the community to know that no one has to travel

GWIL2015 Nonprofit Profile: Wags, Hope and Healing Reply

Week of Online Giving 2015
April 19-26

The 2015 Givin’ Where I’m Livin’ (GWIL) campaign provides support and publicity for local non-profit charitable organizations competing for GWIL matching funds during the campaign’s Week of Online Giving, April 19-26. Around Dripping Springs is pleased to feature this series of GWIL non-profit profiles to help publicize their unique missions to the community. We invite you to get to know these wonderful organizers and learn more about the important work they are each doing to enrich our community. Please share their stories, and be sure to donate to your favorite during the Week of Online Giving! Learn more at: http://www.GivinWhereImLivin.org

NOW MEET WAGS, HOPE AND HEALING:

HOW AND WHY WAS YOUR ORGANIZATION FOUNDED?

Wags, Hope and Healing incorporated as a 501c3 nonprofit in January, 2012.We have been rescuing, rehabilitating and finding loving homes for local rescue dogs since the Fall of 2011.  In June 2012 we relocated our operation to 5 acres of rolling hills in the Hill Country between Dripping Springs and Johnson City on Highway 290. Our organization is led by Jennifer Carroll, Founder, Executive Director and Mary Beth Ansell, Co-Founder, Accounting Director.

Video of Birdie’s Rescue:  http://youtu.be/bEcPKWrcH_E

WHAT IS YOUR PRIMARY MISSION?

We rescue, rehabilitate and find loving adoptive homes for dogs that were the victims of abandonment, abuse or neglect.  Through leadership, behavioral conditioning and love, we help them become balanced and healthy in mind, body and spirit.  We take time to facilitate a perfect match between our adoptable dogs and their forever family and offer a support system for adopting families.  We promote kindness, leadership and responsible pet ownership and advocate for the prevention of cruelty to animals including preventative measures for overpopulation. 

Our vision is to facilitate permanent, healthy bonds between pets and their families. Wags partners with law enforcement and animal control officers to assist with neglect, chaining, hoarding, cruelty and dumping cases.  We play an active role in these situations so that these dogs have a safe place to land.  When local rescue efforts don’t keep us full, we pull from euthanasia lists across Central Texas.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH YOUR EFFORTS?

We have drastically reduced the number of homeless dogs by partnering with local law enforcement.  Through education and support we have helped surrounding communities to euthanize fewer dogs that are homeless.  We have provided rehoming consultation to families that are no longer able keep their pets due to difficult circumstances.  We work with Dogs of Character to participate in school programs and have brought a rehabilitated “bait” dog to one such program.  This was aimed at helping children that are the victims of bullying and was at the Dripping Springs Elementary School.