I recently lost my best friend, Aspen. He was a nine year old Golden Retriever and the joy of my life. I would like to find out about volunteering with your organization and helping in any way I can. Some day, when some time has passed I would like to adopt or foster  for your organization. Aspen touched my life and my heart in a way I will never be able to put in words, but I will be involved with Golden Retrievers for the rest of my life now. He was the most selfless dog I have ever known. His love was truly unconditional. He taught me so much in life and now my thoughts of him are still revealing so much about life to me. Aspen gave me everything he had, and so much more than I could have ever asked for, now in his honor I would like to give back to what I have come to feel is the greatest breed of dog a person could have.

Thank you,

     --- John     June 11, 2008

In addition to donating your time and love in being a foster family and/or adopting a Golden, there are other ways you can help the Golden Retrievers.

GRRH is staffed solely by volunteers that give their time, resources, and energy to provide care for rescued Goldens. Our volunteers are the soul of the organization. In addition to providing foster homes for displaced Goldens, our volunteers also work diligently to educate the public about rescue and to promote the mission of GRRH. Our volunteers also generate funds that will allow us to continue our efforts to rescue and adopt homeless Golden Retrievers. 

We have many areas in which volunteers are needed. Here are a few ways you can help:

Provide a foster home:  This can be a very rewarding experience. Please review our foster page for more information.

Assist with fundraising:  Fundraising is a critical element to rescue.    We need people to help obtain donations to use in raffles and silent auctions, and to organize and plan fundraising activities. Fundraising is an ongoing and evolving process that includes everything from garage sales to silent auctions. We need your time and creativity to help us raise money to care for these beautiful dogs.   

Organize and help with events:  Events such as Adoption Days are GRRH’s chance to introduce our Goldens and our group to the public.  We need assistance in planning, organizing and staffing these public events.

Help with advertising and marketing:  Advertising and marketing covers a broad spectrum of activities. This area includes posting flyers in local businesses such as veterinarian clinics and writing articles for newspapers and local magazines. Advertising and marketing is one way that GRRH can recruit foster homes, new members and additional volunteers. It is also one of our best ways to let the public know who we are and what we do. 

Share your talents: In addition to the areas listed above, GRRH has many other volunteer positions to fill. Some of these roles are listed below:

• Write thank you notes and letters
• Post data entries for the group’s record-keeping area
• Sew or make craft items for GRRH to sell at events
• Provide special areas of expertise to the group such as:  legal or accounting, computer skills, grooming, or training. Your expertise or contacts in this area would be invaluable to GRRH.  

Become a member of GRRH:  Memberships are $30 per year and include the opportunity to attend the annual members’ meeting and to elect GRRH Directors. This also entitles you to receive a quarterly newsletter from GRRH. A small portion of the membership fee goes to pay for printing and postage for the newsletter, with all leftover funds going directly to benefit the Goldens. Print the membership form, complete it and mail it to the address on the form.

Shop Online and Support grrh - Shop online at these fine merchants and they will pay GRRH a percentage of every purchase you make...at no additional charge to you! Visit Stuff to Buy and make a difference. Remember, you must start by clicking on the links on this website.

Donate:  Monetary donations are always welcome! Donations of dog supplies, office and miscellaneous supplies are always needed too.  Dog supplies will go to our foster homes that are caring for the rescued Goldens. Office and miscellaneous supplies will defray the organization’s cost in the administrative side of rescue.

We can always use the following items:

Dog Supplies

• Dog shampoo and other grooming supplies
• Dog bowls
• Dog crates (large or extra large)
• Dog leashes
• Gift certificates (e.g., Petco, Petsmart)
• Baby gates
• Dog crates (large and X-large)
• Dog collars and leashes
• Washable blankets and dog beds
• Child (doggie) guard gates
• Stainless steel dog bowls
• Dog food

Office and Miscellaneous Supplies

• Office Max or Office Depot gift certificates
• Postage stamps
• Printer paper
• Gift certificates to a copy shop (e.g., Kinko's)
• Long distance calling cards
• Digital cameras (used to ensure we have current pictures of our rescued Golden Retrievers on the website)

Services

• Printing services
• Grooming services

Things you can do on your own for GRRH:

• Pay the cost of a vet bill, a surgery or other medical procedure
• Pay the cost of needed medication
• Pay the cost of taking a dog to obedience class
• Pay the cost of having a dog groomed
• Have a yard sale and donate the money to rescue
• Donate your used vehicle
• Coupons for dog food and pet supplies