The North Fort Myers Animal Refuge Center was recently awarded funds by a prominent Southwest Florida animal welfare organization, and is planning several special events.
The 2nd Annual Angel Come Home/Living Legacy For Domestic Animals event was recently held in Naples honoring 11 Southwest Florida agencies, including ARC.
Proceeds were distributed from the sale of the book — “Angel Come Home” — which is now available online and in several area Walgreens Stores.
Accepting the donation for ARC was new Director of Development Carlos Navedo.
“For us, we were honored to be one of the recipients,” he said. “This is actually our second year of being recipients. We are proud and honored to be affiliated with the Angel Come Home Foundation and also the book.”
The author of the book, Stuart Wisong, helps support animal shelters and welfare organizations in Southwest Florida by donating all the profit from book sales. The event was hosted by Gibraltar Private Bank and Trust of Naples.
“We would personally like to thank Mr. Wisong and his team for the great books and the great things he’s doing for all of the animals charities.
Funds will go to the care of the animals in need housed at ARC, which today number over 400,” continued Navedo.
“It truly is a special book with tremendous potential for the future,” said Colleen Murphy, managing director at Gibraltar Bank. Special recognition was extended to Walgreens as the first major retailer to carry the book. “Walgreens cares about the community, with their help we are able to help many more domestic animals,” said Ryan Hadlock, project manager for The Living Legacy For Domestic Animals.
The 11 organizations in Lee and Collier counties that received the funds included ARC, the Humane Society of Naples, Collier Spay Neuter Clinic, Lee County Animal Services, Pekes and Pals Canine Rescue, Friends of Gummi, Gulf Coast Humane Society, For The Love Of Cats, Volunteer Services For Animals Inc., Brooks Legacy and The Animal Compassion Project.
Some of the retailers that greatly impacting the sale of the book include Walgreens, Kay’s, Posh Paws & City Claws, Random Acts of Art, Wind In The Willow, Silk Jungle and Julies of Naples.
“Angel Come Home” can also be purchased on the newly designed Web site: www.angelcomehome.com. The site, which features Linda Eder singing “I’ll Be Seeing You,” the theme song for the book, has an extensive photo gallery which invites visitors to share their pet stories.
Walgreens locations that carry the book in Fort Myers include the store located at 17065 Pine Ridge Road at the corner of Pine Ridge and Summerlin, and the Walgreens at 17050 Tamiami Trail, at the corner of Alico Road and Tamiami Trail. Others will be coming soon in Fort Myers.
“Angel Come Home” is an adventure-filled love story about a unique Maltese dog named Angel who has exceptional communications skills. In her travels, she experiences the world of the rich and famous, the criminals and the redeemed, in parts of Paris few people know exists. Though not a marketed as a children’s book, it attracts readers of all ages. The newly formed “Angel Come Home” fan club includes young Emily Gittes, her mother and grandmother.
With over 4,000 copies sold since becoming available only 15 months ago, “Angel Come Home” is well on its way to being a great success story. Wisong, a retired school teacher who is passionate about supporting domestic animal shelters, has accelerated marketing efforts because so many people need to give up their beloved pets due to the home market crisis.
“Never has the need for shelter support been greater and we want to do our part,” said Wisong.
“ARC is one of the outstanding organizations that is run by volunteers with passion and dedication,” he added. “We are enthusiastic that our book is earning funds for their program for helping domestic animals.
“People have been relinquishing a lot of animals,” continued Wisong.
For additional information on the book, contact Ryan Hadlock at angel@wisonghadlock.com or The Angel Marketing Team at DBS202@comcast.net.