Earth Angel - Bernie (and a contest!)

I wanted to take a minute to talk a bit about Bernie Berlin. A lot of you may recognize the name. She also authored the book: Artist Trading Card Workshop: Create, Collect, Swap. Bernie runs a rescue shelter called "A Place to Bark and Meow" and I have talked about her numerous times on my blog. In fact, my request for Christmas this past year, in lieu of a gift for me, was a donation to Bernie's rescue efforts. Several members of my family complied with my request: Chris, Cheryl, Stephanie, Cindy, donated money and beds (see photo of one of the new beds!) to Bernie's rescue. Bernie has been doing animal rescue for 8 years and needs our help. Read on for my contest too! Here are excerpts of her email she sent out:

(start)

I am writing to you, in hopes you will help me make a difference...
As many of you know, I have been doing animal rescue for now, 8 years.
We have grown over the years from helping 10 to 25 a year to now for "2007" over 400 animals. Never had I planned to walk this road for so many years and finally come to the realization that this is going to be a part of my life for a long time to come.

Just recently, we have been given a HUGE opportunity. The first is a matching grant from the "Zoline Foundation". Any donations made to "A Place to Bark" via the badge link will be matched up to $25,000.00 until June 1st, 2007.

In addition to the matching grant we are currently in a contest called "America's Giving Challenge" all donations made, will be counted and if we have the most individual donations by January 31st, 2007, we will win a $50,000.00 grant. If this happens we can build our much needed shelter.

Now, the EXCITING NEWS IS: We are in the top ten!!!
http://www.sixdegrees.org/Top.aspx But we can get knocked out of the running, if we don't keep going!!
We need to be in the top 4 to win the grant money.

We all have a voice, something the animals I help don't. They depend on us to care for them . In the past two years my program has saved over 700 animals.

I've put it out to the Universe that this is something that I have dedicated my life to and will continue to do so and also continue to do my art in tandem:)

What I am asking of you, is if you can to make a $10.00 donation to increase our chances of winning 50k grant money. Please help me to spread the word.

We are all powerful individuals, who can create change if we put our hearts and minds to it. If you don't feel comfortable spreading the word, that is fine too, no pressure.
I have to exhaust all my resources for my cause..

If you donate, you will receive a receipt immediately, all donations are tax deductible.
I am a registered 501(c)3 with non profit status. Whether we win or not we still will receive the matching grant. Please help spread the word, we so want to make our vision a reality.There is also a video of our current kennels here if you click on the link that is on the badge. I Thank you for your time and truly appreciate any help you can give..

In rescuing dogs,
I lost my mind,
But I found my soul.
Author Unknown

(end)

I have put the donation badge on my sidebar here or you can click on the link to her blog. Even if you cannot donate at this time, please take a minute to go to her blog (there is a slight hesitation when you click on the link to her blog) and read about her and her critters. Warning: some cases are very hard to read but thank you Bernie. She truly is, in my eyes, an Earth Angel.

My Contest: Skein of the brand new Pagewood Farms Glacier Bay 3-ply Sock yarn (tight twist - comparable to Jitterbug) in the Bird of Paradise colorway (deep greens, teals) and one set of Hiya Hiya Stainless Steel 6" DPNS - size 1. What do you have to do? Leave a comment here or email me at janeATtheyarngrove.com to let me know if you make a donation to Bernie or just visit her blog. It's all about awareness.

Drawing will be on February 1,2008.