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Last
winter, a seed was planted by Linda in the minds of THE VOICE EDER-tors.
This spring, the idea began to grow and eventually blossomed into
something that far surpassed what any of us could have imagined.
The very first Linda Eder Online Charity Auction to benefit Pets
Alive was held in May and yielded unparalleled success. The fans
opened their hearts (and pocketbooks!) and helped to raise an amazing
$6,685.93.
The
auction items included many Linda Eder collectables, such as Trail
MIX hats and posters, which were autographed to the winners by Linda,
and unique items from JEKYLL & HYDE and CAMILLE CLAUDEL, among
other items. The auction "grand prize" was truly a one-of-a-kind
experience to benefit Pets Alive in a most unique way — a Day
of Volunteering with Linda at Pets Alive!
We
would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to the fan volunteers
who spent the day with Linda, as well as to all the generous bidders,
and those who donated the wonderful items for the auction —
fellow fans, Maureen Smith at Animal Planet, friends of Pets Alive,
Rob and Marisol Thomas, and Linda herself. As Linda said at the
end of the day of volunteering, "We did it!"
Here,
for the readers of THE VOICE, the fan volunteers share the wonderful
experience they had working along side Linda to benefit the animals
at Pets Alive.
| Fan
and Pets Alive Day Volunteer Toni Alterman recalls the day... |
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Fan
Toni Alterman and Linda take a break from the daily
chores at Pets Alive to pose for a photograph.
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I
think that I am still high from the experience. Okay, I was
a little excited at just the thought of spending a day with
Linda. Since I volunteer with several animal rescue groups,
donating money to a no-kill shelter is something I often do.
Gerry and I were screaming when the auction ended and we found
out that we had won. Neither of us is experienced with eBay,
so we were amazed. I actually thought about calling someone
from work who buys stuff all the time to bid for me, but then
I didn't think it would help our working relationship if I lost.
Of course, we screamed again when we found out it was our buddy
Judi who would be joining us, even though she had been bidding
against us!
Gerry and I flew out the day before (Friday). It took us nine
hours to get to Middletown. Normally I would have been stressed
and complaining. However, Gerry and I just laughed and talked
about our excitement as we sat for hours on the runway because
the airport was closed. We didn't even mind not finding the
streets that our computer maps directed us to after picking
up our rental car. With the help of my GPS, we made it in the
pouring rain. We were just grateful that we didn't try to fly
in the same day.
The weather on that Saturday in June was chilly and windy, which
we preferred to hot. Of course, we kept watching those rain
clouds. Judi, Gerry, and I were the first to arrive at 1 p.m.
THE VOICE Staff came shortly after, followed by Linda and Jill.
After introductions with Sara, we entered a room full of cats.
Many of them were friendly and wanted to be petted and held.
From there we went outside and decided on the chores for the
day. Of course, we wanted to be with Linda, and since she announced
that she was most familiar with horses and would help clean
the pastures, we quickly said that we would do what she was
doing.
We took rakes and wheelbarrows and headed out. Linda showed
us what to do, and explained some of the best approaches to
our "task." Since I have yard duty at my house with
a pooper-scooper, this didn't seem that much different —
except for the volume! Four large dogs do not even compare to
deposits from one horse! I have to admit, having very limited
exposure to horses, that when Linda left to dump the contents
of the wheelbarrow, I kept an eye on the horses and looked forward
to her return. There were no mishaps… well, except for
stepping in something unpleasant. We chatted with Linda and
took photos while shoveling. She was friendly and warm as always,
but perhaps a little shy. We visited with THE VOICE Staff and
watched them paint a fence.
The time went too quickly, and when we finished the pastures,
we went inside the small building and watched Judi and Linda
play with an adorable Labrador puppy. Lunch was more extravagant
than we had expected, and we all ate outside and chatted and
laughed. Sara gave us a tour of the dog pens where we saw mostly
Chow mixes that were not adoptable. Some of us went to visit
the pig, and there was a singing chicken that Sara was very
attached to and had sing for us. We took photos and our day
ended around 5 p.m. with Linda going to collect some chickens
to take home to Jake, and Sara delivering lots of eggs. We left
with a very positive impression of Pets Alive, and we could
see that the money donated truly goes for pet care and not for
any extravagances for the staff or facilities.
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| Fan
and Pets Alive Day Volunteer Gerry Cardwell shares her experience... |
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On
one level, I originally felt that I didn't want to share that
special day with anyone else. Needless to say, after seeing
first hand what's happening at Pets Alive, you [the fans]
need to know how you've already helped make a difference!
The first part of our day started with Sara introducing us
to many of the animals. One special horse, Maureen, I'm glad
to report, is doing very well in her care. She has a new shelter
and fenced in grassy paddock. I had a hard time leaving her
as she snuggled up to me and wanted attention. We had a lovely
visit with Robert the pig, the biggest guy I've ever seen.
He's very friendly and pushed his nose through the fence to
greet me. The geese honked out a greeting too. The animals
are a very vocal bunch… so many animals and so many sad
stories that now have happy endings because they found their
way to Sara. She is one special lady with an enormous task.
Please continue to lend your support to her cause. We really
are making a difference.
Sara offered several different jobs that needed our attention.
We waited for Linda to choose her job and we followed behind
her, pushing wheelbarrows and pitchforks. Imagine getting
instruction from Linda on the fine art of scooping! She did
have to correct me on my technique. In our case, it took two
of us with a push and lift system to retrieve the fertilizer
and get it into the wheelbarrow. Linda was a patient instructor.
She probably laughed all the way home at the sight of us struggling.
I will say that Linda can heave a wheelbarrow. She pushed
it up the driveway, across the street, and down into the woods.
When I followed with my load, I had to stop and breathe at
the top of the driveway. Luckily, the workers decided to use
my load for the flower garden, so they took it from me. Little
did I know when I posted at the beginning of the auction that
I was practicing my pitchfork technique, that I would actually
be standing next to Linda and doing just that!
Sara arranged for a wonderful lunch, which we were able to
eat outdoors. We had time to visit and take lots of pictures.
Linda, thank you for making this day possible. Your generous
heart touches all of us. You are very special and appreciated
by all of your fans, especially the "Poop Scoop Squad!"
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American Gothic? No — but another masterpiece in
the works! Fan Gerry Cardwell and Linda pose for a picture
while "pitching in" at Pets Alive.
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| Fan
and Pets Alive Day Volunteer Judi Mc Cabe reflects on the moment... |
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We
had a great day at Pets Alive! It started around 1 p.m. Sara
took us to the cat room, but I backed off when I saw more
than 30 cats. I did go in when Sara said only seven or eight
cats will come to us. They were okay and very friendly. Then
one tried to "love nip" me.
Linda got there around 1:15 p.m. She had on overalls with
a grey thermal top under them, well-worn boots, and a London
England cap with her ponytail through it. After saying hello,
Sara showed us a new dog and puppy. Linda held a chocolate
Lab puppy named Bella for a while and when I started to pet
it, she handed Bella to me. Linda and I were playing with
the puppy, and she kept telling me to take the dog home. I
told her and Sara I couldn't because I go to "some singer's"
concerts and didn't want to leave a dog home or in somebody
else's care.
Sara gave us a choice of things to do. Linda said she would
go into the horse pastures and pick up @#%#. Toni said, "It's
a day with Linda, so that's what we'll do." And we did.
We cleaned up three horse pens. Linda and Gerry moved the
wheelbarrows, and we all raked the stuff. Didn't smell…
wasn't that bad. Linda was fun but sort of quiet. We talked
about things other than her career… vacations, family,
etc. I didn't ask about a new CD or concerts. She mentioned
some charity things she had done or will do.
Around 3 p.m. we had lunch… stuffed shells, eggplant
rollatini, salad, dessert, fruit, etc. While we were eating,
Linda and I chatted about the U.S. equestrian team, which
is in Gladstone, New Jersey. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's
daughter probably will make the team. They live near Linda.
After lunch we just hung around and talked. The "day"
with Linda ended around 5 p.m. Linda thanked and hugged us
for helping. Sara thanked us and gave us the DVD that Rob
Thomas made for Pets Alive. Linda took home two chicks…
no, not that kind… real ones… that lay eggs.
Several people have asked if my impression has changed after
spending time with Linda. She's nice and fun. I don't think
I've learned anything new. Maybe she didn't really want to
let loose, I don't know. What you see after a show is what
you get.
So keep giving your dollars and coins to Pets Alive and if
you get a chance to volunteer, do so.
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Fan Judi Mc Cabe and Linda "dig in" for a
good cause at Pets Alive! The horses were thrilled with
their freshly cleaned paddock!
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A
Day of Volunteering at Pets Alive With Linda Eder... the story in
photos...
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Linda
and Sara Whalen, Executive Director of Pets Alive, lead the
volunteers off to begin the day's chores.
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Digging
right in!
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Linda
wasted no time! Only five minutes after arriving for the day
she grabbed her supplies and rallied the volunteers —
"Let's get to work!"
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Snack
time! Linda gives Robert the Pig a special treat.
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Linda
visits with Bella, a Chocolate Lab puppy who is looking for
a new home.
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Gidget,
the resident Billy Goat, mugs for the camera. Everyone fell
in love with Gidget!
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Linda
hard at work in Noble's paddock.
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The
fan volunteers had a puuuuuuuurfect time visiting with the
cats of Pets Alive. Judi Mc Cabe pets Regine, Gerry Cardwell
holds Betty, and Toni Alterman snuggles with Patch.
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It
was a dirty job, but somebody had to do it!...
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Some
of the horses of Pets Alive (left to right) Jupe, Noble and
Mabel. Little Mabel is 45-years-old!
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Linda
says hello to Moe while Sara Whalen looks on.
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Lunch
time! Linda and the fan volunteers pause for a well-deserved
break.
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Gerry
Cardwell bonds with Maureen, a retired NYC Carriage Horse.
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Goofing
around at lunch! The joke of the moment was that it's always
fun to take pictures while you're eating!
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Linda
poses for a group picture with the fan volunteers at the
end of a very successful day! Great job everyone!
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