On midnight on June 1, 2013, Stiggy’s Dogs made a huge leap forward by winning third place in the Home Depot Foundation’s Aprons in Action contest.  Third place comes with a $100,000 prize that means more dogs paired with more veterans and a better future for this organization.  The growing we’ve been doing in small skips and jumps is about to make a big leap forward for the better.

But before we detail how the money will be used, we need to say thank you.  Thank you alone will never be enough.  Our biggest show of gratitude will be how we use this chance to grow.  It is important, though, to recognize some key people who got us there.  Each of us on staff has individuals and groups that we need to thank and that’s what this post is for.

This post isn’t where it ends though.  Come see the check presentation at our Open House on Saturday, June 22, 2021 from 11 am to 2 pm.  Tour the property, learn more about Stiggy’s Dogs new initiatives and talk with the staff.  Also learn more about volunteer opportunities and fundraising possibilities.  We want to meet you!

Now for the Oscar style thank you speech…

First, for our group thank yous:

There were several local rescue and animal welfare organizations who plastered their Facebook pages for weeks during the month of May and who have always been there to support us…you have a special thank you coming.  This includes P.O.E.T., Better Life Canine Center, Detroit Bully Corps, 4 Paws 1 Heart, Michigan Rescue Network, Michigan Boxer Club, Save Ace, Dog Aide 2012 and Detroit Dog Rescue.  These groups stuck their neck out by promoting this with their followers on a consistent basis.

And in no particular order, those groups and individuals who made it their mission to make Stiggy’s successful and appeared on all of our lists multiple times…

• Luis Montalvan and Tuesday
• Canton Public Library
• WHMI
• Elaine Godwleski
• Dr. Petre’s Class at McKendree University
• Terran Frye
• Life With Dogs
• Bill & Missi Bellottie
• Stephanie & Eric Brown
• State of Michigan Department of Veterans Affairs who helped make veterans in the State of Michigan big winners all around in May.  
• Mike & Mollie Grywalski
• Megan Reese
• Dan Clay
• the Home Depot friends from Howell and the surrounding area that pushed for us for over a year now and keep on pushing!

And we all had our friends and family that went above and beyond in May and those we work with.  We tried to remember as many as we could think of but if we missed some, please don’t think that we missed you on purpose!

Jennifer wants to thank:

Donna wants to thank:

• Kathy Overfield
  
• Doreen & Bill Babbitt
  
• John McDevitt
  
• Julia Smith
  
• Paula Fournier
  
• Justin Silkowski
  
• Pauline Lang
  
• Tom Hanley
  
• Jeremy Wright
  
• Amiee Black
• Denise Toney
  
• Rachel Ayers
  
• Crystal Banks
  
• Beth Campbell Baker
  
• Helen Budd
  
• Shannon Brese
  
• Mark Hall
  
• Jessica Gearhart
  
• Jennifer Pruess
  
• Cecilia Hanley of Cecilia’s Temple of Groom
  
• Dr. Brad Davis
  
• Shawna Vojtkofsky owner of Stinky Doo
  
• Robert Thorne owner of Snuggle Puppy
  
• The Marathon Gas Station on M-59
  
• Pet Supplies Plus Howell
  
• The Howelling Cafe
  

Mat wants to thank:

• Natalie Black
• Megan Reese
• Sarah Raymond
• Rachel Long
• Cindy Black
• Wendy Sica
• Trish O’Donnell
• Aaron Fortin
• Jennifer & Jennette Swartout
• Michael & Katie Rose
• Linda Gonder
• Jen Guthrie
• Jean Carew
• Amanda Schultz-Elrod
• Martha & Nicholas Black
• Stephanie Denton
• Black Ops Gunsmithing
• Sharona Weiss
• Linda Sica
• Carolynn Lynch
• Alex Johnson - American Bully Kennel Club
• Chris Joseph
• William Joseph
• Elaine Joseph
• Autumn Joseph
• David Sica
• Nancy Wolf Henahan
• Laura Strong
• Kelly Wood Hatton
• XBL All-Stars
• Brad Baer
• Mike Thomas
• Wes Haberman
• Brian Kinser
• Gabriel Echenique Jr.
• Jason aka Doctor Kock
• Chris Arendall
• Will Haberman
• Beth Nelson Bland
• Charles Richardson
• Jennifer Cross Whitfield
• Jen Clarkson
• Alexis Richards
• Melissa Berman
• Stephanie Fields Atkinson
• Jen Hefner
• Jennifer Wiggins
• Michelle Doucette
• Jessica Roy
• Barn Joseph
• Jeff Bungard
• Judy Sebesta
• Stacey Baker
• Deb Foerster
• Kathy Glaspie LaFramboise
• Melissa Szumlinski
• Amanda Balcazar
• Sally Henry
• Gordon Shell
• Tracy Thomas
• Beth Kushel
• Lisa Marie Peraino
• Melissa Zudweg Bordon
• Carrie Nolan
• Anna Peterson Shetler
• Cynthia Acevedo
• Rachel Wright
• Laura Critzon
• Cheapyd of cheapassgamer.com

Lynda wants to thank:

• Operation Freedom Paws
• Echo the Deaf Pittie mix
• The Truth About Pit Bulls
• Deaf Dogs Rock
• Saginaw Adoptable Pets

Kim wants to thank:

• Judy and George Steel
• Lauren Lambert
• Lori Lambert
• Erin Steel
• Tonya Corrado
• Meggan Keith
• Danielle Denhardt
• Lisa McKissack
• Kevin Szawala, aka Mr. Peace
• Holly Groszko
• Kim Weiss
• Ariana Pepper
• Dane and Rachel Jackson
• Charissa Johnston
• Nicole Sleeva
• Jodi Movens
• Coleen White
• Keith Middleton
• Hannah
• Maria Miranda
• Mary Skinner
• and of course, Garrett McManaway

Let’s not forget that it’s time to pay up.  The prancercise video is coming next week in time for a proper finger pointing and laughing at the open house. For now, Mr. Sica has a rather large gap around his head where a bunch of hair used to be….

 Sorry, Natalie.  His hair will grow back in time for the wedding!

———-

You can give to Stiggy’s Dogs securely online on our Rally page.  Please consider a donation to help us continue in our mission of Rescuing One to Rescue Another.