The Brix Challenge 2020 shattered the record of all 6 previous years’ challenges, bringing in $18,847.00. That’s amazing and it’s because of this wonderful community. For the seventh year animal-lovers in our area rose to the challenge presented by our good friend, Chris Brix, who promised to match $1,000.00 in funds raised from late September through the month of October. This year’s need has been greater than ever, with assistance to animals higher than normal and our ability to continue many fundraisers this year severely limited due to COVID-19. We asked our supporters to make this a record-breaking year for TheBrix Challenge, and they did. We truly appreciate them coming forward to make this fundraiser such a huge success, especially during the difficult times we are currently in.
The generous gifts received during this year’s Brix Challenge will makethe world a better place for many animals in need in McDonough County through HSMC initiatives. A few of those include:
1) PROMOTING ADOPTIONS of cats and dogs at the McDonough County Animal Shelter via weekly posters, social media, news outlets and sponsorship; promoting adoptions of hard-to-place animals through reduced adoption fees and/or medical intervention, for example.
2) SPONSORSHIP AND FOSTER of those animals that don’t get adopted from the McDonough County Animal Shelter by moving those animals whose time is running out at the shelter into foster homes where they can live in a family and enjoy socialization while awaiting their forever home.
3) REDUCING OVERPOPULATION through two separate spay/neuter programs. One serves to promote adoption of animals at the shelter by subsidizing the cost of altering animals adopted from the shelter. The other is a partnership with the Quincy Humane Society that provides transportation and spay/neuter for barn/feral cats at no cost to the caretaker. If space is available companion dogs and cats may take advantage of this for a nominal fee.
4) PROVIDING MEDICAL CARE to shelter and county animals in emergency situations through the discretionary use of our long-standing “Angel Fund.”
5) HELPING KEEP ANIMALS IN THEIR HOMES and with their families when they meet with financial distress via the Pet Food Pantry and discretionary use of the “Angel Fund.
Because of the overwhelming generosity of Chris Brix and Brix Challenge supporters, our wonderful members and friends, local businesses and our area media sources the animals in need in McDonough County will benefit in many positive ways. Our most sincere “Thank You” for choosing to be a part of that.