NSYMCA's Fleece for Fur Babies event draws community pet lovers

Posted March 18, 2024 2:18 pm

Submitted by Kim Nyren, North Suburban YMCA

The Finder Family volunteer to make fleece blankets at the North Suburban YMCA's Fleece for Fur Babies event on March 10. From left, are: Michelle, Aiden, Elayna and Matt Finder from Northbrook. Courtesy of North Suburban YMCA

Local pet lovers donated essential animal supplies and made pet blankets for sheltered animals at the North Suburban YMCA’s third annual Fleece for Fur Babies held on March 10, at the Y in Northbrook. The event drew approximately 80 volunteers ranging between 6-75 in age.

This special volunteer event coordinated by the North Suburban YMCA’s Social Responsibility Committee, also collected pet supply donations included large bags of dog food, newspapers, chew toys, paper towels, kitty litter and the handmade blankets which will be donated to Wright-Way Rescue, Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter, and Heartland Animal Shelter. Also, in attendance was the Fleece for Fur Babies event sponsor, EVS Pet Urgent Care, located in Northbrook next to the Pet Smart on Skokie Boulveard. The veterinarian facility also donated hundreds of rubber chew toys for shelter dogs.

Gosia Lukasik and Tiffany McQuien from EVS Pet Urgent Care, event sponsors of the North Suburban YMCA’s Fleece for Fur Babies, donated dog chew toys and greeted the families and volunteers on March 10. Courtesy of North Suburban YMCA

For many of the participants including the Finder Family, the pet blanket event was a family affair.

“We decided to come out today because we have two dogs Leo and Gracie, and Leo is a rescue from PAWS,” said Aiden Finder, 8, and his sister Elayna, 10.

“Leo is now 13 and my kids loved the idea of making other shelter dogs happy,” said Matt Finder.

“At the Y, we believe these events are so impactful to our community and are very important to keep families invested in our community needs,” said Kathy Fielding, North Suburban YMCA CEO. “We find that teaching children small acts of kindness and volunteerism early on can create a domino effect and encourage them to keep paying it forward and giving back throughout their life.”

Other premiere sponsors of the North Suburban YMCA Fleece for Fur Babies event included Allstate, Illinois Bone and Joint Institute and Wintrust Community Banks.

For more social responsibility volunteer events at the North Suburban YMCA, contact Shannon Sliwinski

at ssliwinski@nsymca.org.

Donations and fleece blankets at the North Suburban YMCA's Fleece for Fur Babies volunteer event on March 10.. Courtesy of North Suburban YMCA

The North Suburban YMCA services Northbrook and 14 surrounding communities with programs and tools that help its residents become healthier, more connected and confident, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. The North Suburban YMCA focuses on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility and is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, inclusive and welcoming to all in our community. Learn more at www.nsymca.org.

Erika and Olivia Hannibal show off their blanket at the North Suburban YMCA's Fleece for Fur Babiesevent on March 10. Courtesy of North Suburban YMCA

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