Stories of People Like You

Giving to the animals via Lollypop Farm is deeply gratifying for me. Lollypop is the pinnacle of the animal community that does so much for so many. They outshine in generosity by helping anyone who needs it. I am very impressed by the highly trained medical staff and the employees are as compassionate as they are professional. Above all, Lollypop could not be more gracious regardless of the donation amount. Who doesn’t enjoy being thanked and appreciated?

I feel so lucky & so blessed to have my dog, Sparrow; particularly, during the panicdemic. I simply gaze into “Sparrow’s” Hershey brown eyes warmly wrapping me with their unconditional love. Admittedly, it has been a frightfully difficult and lonely time. But “Sparrow” has been my savior. I think about how many lonesome animal lovers can be pacified with their very own furry companion. And I have witnessed Lollypop’s unparalleled gift of matchmaking pets with partners. If I can make other lonely people as happy as my little buddy makes me, I cannot think of a better organization to bank on. Giving to Lollypop’s four-footed residents comforts me completely. Nobody does it better!

Both she and Kent are proud and honored to be a part of the good work by volunteering at every opportunity. One of their favorite past times is Pet Assisted Therapy. They bring several of their pets to visit individuals who need a laugh and a smile; and that makes them smile. They do channel 8’s Pet of The Week, Pets Meals on Wheels, help out at the Telethon and their company MTF, LLC often supplies volunteers to the many events Lollypop holds.

They also foster, “Adoption is where it’s at, but fostering is also important,” states Mary Therese.

The Friels encourage others to give back to pets in need, too. They organize a “Comfort Campaign” every year, collecting a trailer full of supplies to donate during the holiday season, and encourage donations during their annual Fashion Fest each year, raising money for pets and pet parents in need.

Tony recalls one of his first experiences with Lollypop Farm… It was the early 60s
and he had a Border Collie that lived in a doghouse out back. Turns out, he would
always escape and was known to take down a farmer’s sheep. As a result, Tony was
told he would have to put the dog down. Off he went to Lollypop Farm with tears in
his eyes. Even the dog was crying on the floor when they arrived. One of the staff
members picked up the dog, hugged him and said “We won’t put you to sleep. We’ll
find you a new home where you can’t get into that kind of trouble.”

Tony’s been grateful ever since. And we are grateful to you, Tony and Angela.

Ever since then, they’ve been ardent supporters and believe strongly in our mission. When they decided to leave Lollypop Farm in their estate plan, it was because they knew that, unfortunately, there would always be a need for our services. “We want to make sure that every cat – especially the older ones – has the chance it deserves to find a wonderful home,” states Sandy.

I truly believe it’s important that we look after those that can’t help themselves. Since I can’t adopt them all, I can at least contribute and leave something in my will to help homeless pets.

It’s my wish that through my support, we can put an end to animal cruelty and expand spay/neuter services.

It breaks my heart to see pets without a home. Those sad ads on TV caught my attention and I wanted to help, but I knew in my heart it is so much better to help homeless pets right here where I live. And Lollypop Farm has been doing a great job helping every animal it possibly can.

Later on, my next Lollypop cat actually picked me when she jumped out of the cage and into my arms.

My daughter even interned at Lollypop Farm so I have seen all the good they do. One of the most important things my bequest will help to ensure is humane education. It’s so important to teach children the values of kindness, caring, compassion and respect for all living beings. I want that to be my legacy.

This love of animals led Robert to begin contributing to Lollypop Farm as soon as he began working his way up in the business world. He knew there was an over-abundance of homeless pets needing help, and he wanted to make a difference. So strong was the pull to help, he made the decision to leave a significant portion of his estate to Lollypop Farm – long before he had the opportunity to join its Board of Directors. “I felt when it comes time for me to leave this world, the best legacy I could hope to leave would be to Lollypop Farm. Animals can’t care for themselves in many instances, and with my contribution, it would help ensure that the good work would continue,” claims Robert.

Now, as a member of the organization’s Board, Robert sees first-hand the success stories and “happy tails” donors make happen every single day. Not merely an animal shelter, Lollypop Farm is bettering the lives of animals through justice, prevention and life-saving care.

Knowing there is much more to be done, I am committed to continue supporting Lollypop Farm and have joined their monthly giving program. It was also an easy decision to join the Legacy Society by including Lollypop Farm in my will. It is important to me to know that the good work currently being done will continue into the future. I know this will depend on the donations from our community. It is rewarding to know that my contributions are being used locally and are having an impact helping animals and educating people about responsible pet ownership.

– Beth Benson

Under the mentorship of Clyde Glover, Shaggy not only walked dogs, she began training them too. This simple volunteer role grew over the years to providing our dogs with enrichment, bringing them to Channel __ Pet of the Week segments, and handling them for their website picture photo session.

It wasn’t long before Shaggy knew she wanted to do more, and decided to leave a legacy through a bequest in her will. “I’ve designated a specific dollar amount in support of the animals, but I may end up leaving a percentage of my entire estate to Lollypop Farm.” “That’s one of the great things about leaving a bequest; you can always change it,” states Shaggy.

For passionate donors, end of life gifts also ensure that your support will live on and that your voice is heard. For Shaggy, that was an important factor. “I feel good knowing my voice is heard and that my money will go to causes that mean the most to me.”

If you, like Shaggy, want your voice to be heard, contact Cathie Wright, CFRE, Vice President for Development & Donor Relations, at 585-223-1330 ext. 245.

The McCue’s created a trust that will benefit Lollypop Farm after their deaths. Their goal is two-fold; to maintain the high quality of care afforded to shelter pets at Lollypop Farm, and to provide on-going spay/neuter surgeries to get at the root problem of pet overpopulation. “No other organization helps build that human/animal bond like Lollypop Farm does, nor provides the same full range of services,” states Diane. “It feels good knowing we are making a difference and I would encourage anyone who has ever loved a pet to consider a bequest to Lollypop too.”

After losing Macy, Gaven & Kathleen adopted Luna, a Lab mix – and their relationship with Lollypop Farm continues to grow. Kathleen periodically donates household items that Lollypop Farm can always use, they’ve been to dog obedience classes with Luna, and Gaven recently joined Lollypop Farm’s Planned Giving Advisory Committee.

Gaven says it’s their way of paying back the years of unconditional love pets have given them.

But their travel schedule made it difficult and Joan really wanted to be able to make a lasting difference for the Humane Society. That’s when she decided to establish a charitable remainder trust for Lollypop Farm. Together, Joan and Lee decided to give specific assets to the Humane Society once they both pass on. The trust offers substantial tax and other benefits for everyone involved – including Joan and Lee.

First, because the assets come out of their estate and into the trust, they are not subject to capital gains tax. The trust also establishes an income stream – 8% of the value of the trust – for the remainder of Joan’s life. Any interest earned over 8% goes to build the trust’s value.

The Salmen’s continue to contribute annually to Lollypop Farm, and thanks to their forward thinking, have left a legacy of love for the animals less fortunate than their own.

He immediately thought of his dear cats, George and Gracie, and the experience he had with Lollypop Farm when he needed to surrender them. Mark had just bought a winter home in Florida and didn’t think the back and forth plane trips would be fair. “You can’t sit them down and explain to them about riding in a plane, and I certainly wasn’t going to just leave them.” That, combined with George’s house soiling that had been going on for years, made Mark realized that the dreaded day had come… he had to say goodbye to George and Gracie.

The first organization he brought them to made Mark’s difficult decision that much more painful. They did not treat him well and pre-judged him for surrendering his cats. “If they were treating me like that, how would they have treated George and Gracie?” Mark took the cats and left. He says that when he brought them to Lollypop Farm, the staff was very understanding and comforting. He appreciated their concern – and is still appreciative to this day. That is why he decided to remember Lollypop Farm in his will. “It’s so easy to do, and it makes you feel good. Everyone who has ever loved an animal should consider doing the same,” says Mark.

Without children to plan for, my dogs are my most precious legacy. When I was planning my estate, I was in frequent electronic communication with an attorney, but the first chance we had to talk live, he answered his phone with an enthusiastic “woof!” He recognized how important animals were in how I lived the present and planned for the future.

As a board member, I know how responsibly Lollypop uses its donations to preserve and advance its mission of creating lifelong bonds between people and animals. I am honored to help the cause, both now and tomorrow, and know that donations from my estate will be put to good use.

She believes the humane treatment of animals is important because animals cannot protect themselves. “Lollypop Farm has a great reputation for taking care of animals in need,” Genevieve said. “I’d like my legacy to be furthering the life and comfort of the animals.”

For more information, contact Cathie Wright, CFRE, Vice President for Development & Donor Relations, at (585) 295-5260 or wright@lollypop.org.

For more information, contact Cathie Wright, CFRE, Vice President for Development & Donor Relations, at (585) 295-5260 or wright@lollypop.org.