UPDATE: After the story was published, additional benefits were reported. Those fundraisers have been added to the story.
Checks should be made out to the Longmont Humane Society with "Now and Forever" written in the memo line and mailed to:
The Longmont Humane Society
9595 Nelson Road
Longmont, CO 80501
LONGMONT -- About six weeks after making a plea for financial help, the Longmont Humane Society has received more than half of the $772,000 loan payment the organization needs by Nov. 30 to avoid possible foreclosure.
Last week, an anonymous donor gave $300,000 to the Longmont Humane Society's capital campaign, Serving the Community Now and Forever, said director Liz Smokowski.
The campaign was launched in late July after the Humane Society announced it would be unable to make its upcoming payment on a loan that covered the cost of the expanded facility because of increased operating costs and deficits from 2006 to 2011 that exceeded $1.6 million.
Including the recent gift, the organization has received about $400,000 in donations toward the November loan payment, Smokowski said.
The humane society has not and will not launch any fundraisers for the campaign, Smokowski said, because it cannot afford to take financial or other resources from its daily operations for the effort.
"Our resources are already dedicated to maintaining a positive cash flow this year, so that if we're unable to make that full payment, we will look like a better investment to banks who might be more likely to renegotiate our loan at that point," Smokowski said. "After the latest donation, it gives me a good bit of confidence that we can do it, that we can make this payment."
The humane society will continue to seek large gifts from local donors to fulfill the remaining $372,000 needed by Nov. 30, Smokowski said.
$20 to save Longmont Humane
Longmont resident Shireen Batterson, who has been a volunteer for the Longmont Humane Society for 10 years, said when she heard the news of the organization's financial trouble she started doing some math.
"Why couldn't all 800 (humane society) volunteers raise $1,000 each?" Batterson said. "That's only 50 people giving $20 each, and just about anyone can afford $20."
In about two weeks, Batterson has raised more than $3,000 by asking family, friends and co-workers for $20 donations. She received a $500 donation from someone she had not approached, Batterson said, but the total is made up mostly of $20 gifts.
Batterson is selling T-shirts for $20 each that say "Ask me how $20 can save the Longmont Humane Society," and she's encouraging other volunteers to join her effort.
"I know realistically that not every volunteer will do it, but there are so many of us I thought it was worth trying to encourage at least some of them to help out," she said.
Other local groups and businesses are organizing fundraisers to contribute to the fund, as well.
Twin Peaks Heating, Cooling and Plumbing
Twin Peaks Heating, Cooling and Plumbing will donate $100 from each equipment purchase in September and October, said office manager Wanda Ward.
"How can you have a city that doesn't have a humane society?" Ward said. "We really support what they do and those little critters."
Avery Brewing Company
Avery Brewing will host Kick the Keg for Longmont Humane Society at its tasting room, 5763 Arapahoe Ave. Unit E in Boulder, from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Avery marketing director Joe Osborne said the brewery will donate all proceeds from two donated kegs to the humane society.
Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, 1 West Flatiron Circle in Broomfield, will host a tapping party and silent auction at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Proceeds from the launch of the restaurant's new Oktoberfest beer and the silent auction, which will include gift certificates to local restaurants and breweries and pet gift baskets, will benefit the Longmont Humane Society, said manager Scott Elias.
Lucky's Market, 700 Ken Pratt Blvd. #201, in Longmont is giving customers an opportunity to raise money for the Longmont Humane Society by bringing in reusable bags.
Customers will receive a wooden token worth 10 cents, which is good for donations to three charities chosen by Lucky's Facebook fans, for every reusable bag they bring into the store.
Each charity has a vestibule near the store's exit where customers can turn in their tokens. Lucky's will give a donation for the amount of tokens to each charity at the end of three months.
The Longmont Humane Society, St. Vrain Valley School District and the Tiny Tim Center will be the beneficiaries through Nov. 14.
Local residents Dale Sherrod, Karen Main and Chris Kent will host a benefit concert at 3 p.m. Nov. 17 at LifeBridge Christian Church, 10345 Ute Highway, in Longmont.
The details are still being worked out, but Kent said the concert will feature local musicians, including his band, the Longs Peak Dixieland Gospel Band.
Other local businesses already have contributed to the $400,000 raised so far.
Oskar Blues raised $1,740 during its Dogs for Dogs fundraiser Aug. 30 at the Tasty Weasel Tap Room in Longmont.
Tyra Sutak, events coordinator for Oskar Blues, said the Homemade Liquids and Solids restaurant donated an additional $260, bumping the total to $2,000 donated to the Longmont Humane Society following the event.
"On any given day, you'll find one or two of our employees' dogs hanging around the office, and there are always plenty of adorable dogs that belly up to the bar with their owners for a cold one in the Tasty Weasel Tap Room," Sutak said. "The Longmont Humane Society does a really awesome job of rescuing animals and connecting families and local folks with the perfect pet for their home, and we're more than happy to do what we can to help them keep their doors open."
Blackjack Pizza in Longmont donated 20 percent of each order on Mondays in August to the Humane Society, Smokowski said. The storeowner did not return calls from the Times-Call seeking the donation total.
Zoom Room Dog Training
Zoom Room Dog Training in Longmont donated 10 percent of its sales every Tuesday in August, said owner Marnie Johnson. She would not say how much was donated.
Johnson said the center will continue to support the Humane Society through its financial struggle.
Whitney Bryen can be reached at 303-684-5274 or firstname.lastname@example.org.