Staffworks Save A Life Campaign Raises More Than $680,000 for Animal Welfare Organizations

Staffworks Commits Additional $1 Million to Regional Animal Welfare Initiatives

Representatives from the Staffworks Charitable Fund and The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties announced yesterday the record-breaking results of the 2018 Save A Life Campaign, a matching gift program that doubled community donations, up to $10,000 per organization, to 18 regional animal welfare agencies during December.

Community members donated more than $465,000, securing more than $215,000 in matching funds and bonus awards from the Staffworks Charitable Fund. In total, the 2018 Save A Life Campaign generated more than $680,000 in support for the 18 participating animal welfare organizations.

In addition to matching funds, the Staffworks Charitable Fund awarded seven bonus prizes in the following categories:

• Most Dollars Raised – $10,000 bonus prize
  Awarded to Humane Society of Rome for raising nearly $78,000
• Most Individual Donors – $10,000 bonus prizes
  Awarded to Humane Society of Rome and Herkimer County Humane Society who tied with more than 500 contributors each
• Outstanding Newcomer – $10,000 bonus prize
  Awarded to Susquehanna SPCA for raising nearly $76,000 in its first year participating in the campaign
• Outstanding Growth – $10,000 bonus prize
  Awarded to Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association for tripling its 2017 campaign results by raising more than $57,000 in 2018
• Inspiration Awards – $5,000 bonus prizes
  Awarded to Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse and Broome County Humane Society for their care of three abused and neglected animals during the campaign

Dozens of gifts were made in honor of two beagles— Trooper and Adam—injured when they were thrown from a moving vehicle on Interstate 81 in Cortland County, as well as Sal, a critically injured dachshund-mix puppy abandoned in Syracuse.

“Young Dachshund Sal, named after the Save A Life Campaign, was found wandering city streets in the bitter cold, malnourished with both back legs broken,” said Anita Vitullo, Staffworks Charitable Fund creator and advisor. “And beagles Trooper and Adam were thrown from a moving vehicle on a major highway, rescued by a passing tractor trailer driver and New York State Police. These poor animals suffered horrific injuries and endured multiple surgeries, but they survived because of people who cared enough to rescue them and contribute to their medical care.”

Moved by the community’s generosity to contribute to the dogs’ medical expenses, Vitullo surprised Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse and Broome County Humane Society with Inspiration Awards for their care of Sal, Trooper and Adam.

In its fifth year, community support for the campaign reached new heights in 2018, with donations topping the combined total of donations received in the past four Save A Life Campaigns.

“These record-breaking numbers demonstrate our community’s tremendous love for animals and their support of the organizations who care for animals in need,” said Alicia Dicks, president/CEO of The Community Foundation. “Through the generosity of our donors and the leadership offered through the Staffworks Charitable Fund, thousands of animals’ lives have been saved and thousands more will be protected.”

Reflecting on the campaign’s success, Vitullo stated, "The Staffworks Save A Life Campaign demonstrates what can be achieved when 18 animal care organizations in six counties join forces along with the support of more than 3,700 regional donors. Together they have achieved what was not possible before. The Community Foundation joins us in creating a humane environment for animals in our communities. The results of our mutual efforts can be seen in the eyes of the animals we save."

Since 2014, the Staffworks Save A Life Campaign has raised more than $1.25 million for animal welfare organizations across Central New York, with donors contributing more than $800,000 to secure matching funds from the Staffworks Charitable Fund.
Vitullo reaffirmed Staffworks’s commitment to regional animal welfare initiatives by presenting a $1 million gift to The Community Foundation to be added to the Staffworks Charitable Fund, bringing its value to more than $11 million.

In June 2018, the Staffworks Charitable Fund became The Community Foundation’s first $10 million fund with a living fundholder. The Staffworks Charitable Fund was established at The Community Foundation in 2006 by Vitullo, Staffworks founder and owner, out of her concern for animals and her belief in their right to life. The fund promotes humane communities by using company profits from branch office markets in central and southern New York to support organizations that provide care for at-risk animals. The Staffworks Charitable Fund has awarded more than $2.1 million in grants to community organizations in support of this mission.

The following animal welfare organizations participated in the 2018 Save A Life Campaign:

• 4 PetSake Food Pantry – Mohawk
• Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse – Syracuse
• Broome County Humane Society – Binghamton
• Chenango SPCA – Norwich
• CNY Cat Coalition – Syracuse
• CPV Rescue & Sanctuary – Clinton
• Helping Animals Live Organization (HALO) – Little Falls
• Herkimer County Humane Society – Mohawk
• Humane Society of Rome – Rome
• Kindred Spirits Greyhound Adoption – Clinton
• North Country Pet Adoption Services – Glenfield
• Pause 4 All Paws – Little Falls
• R-CATS – Rome
• Road to Home Rescue Support – Wantagh
• Spay and Neuter Syracuse – Syracuse
• Stevens-Swan Humane Society – Utica
• Susquehanna SPCA – Cooperstown
• Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association – Canastota