We are excited to announce, that Stiggys Dogs have been accepted to receive a Team Depot Community Grant!!!! Giving back is a core value at The Home Depot and a passion for our associates. Through The Home Depot Foundation and its ongoing partnerships with nonprofit organizations, The Home Depot donates countless hours, tools and supplies each year to community service projects.

It all started in January….Terran Frye, paired with Hershey, walked into the Howell Home Depot, where Stiggys Dogs had just moved to. He was spreading the word of the new non-profit in town. However, a week later I got this call from Terran. “Jen, I hate to drop the ball on this with Home Depot, but I need to go for a month to take care of my grandfather and grandma…” Terran left me the name and number of someone to call at the store that wanted to help work with us. I was confused on what he was really talking about but I followed up a week later. (And thank goodness I did!)

Donna and I met with two wonderful woman, Jerry Jones and Amy Armijo, who are the Team Captains. Instantly it seemed like sitting down with old friends. The warmth and love that came from them about this project was so genuine. Their excitement about bringing a project to their community for veterans and dogs was the force behind our approval! That Friday we had Jerry, Amy, Joe and Lynne from Home Depot take a tour around Stiggy’s Sanctuary.  I was embarrassed because we just moved in, things were still a unorganized mess. The vision I have for Stiggys Sanctuary is crystal clear in my eyes, and sharing this with them made it all the more real.

Amy and Jerry must have submitted a awesome application for this, because WE GOT APPROVED!!!!!!  I remember the phone call from Jerry shrieking “Go look at your email.” The tears still run down my cheeks as I recall the relief and excitement. This isn’t a dream, it is really happening.

On June 14th 2012, we will have a *sea of orange* (home Depot  aprons) here to do the following: drywall/door basement room for trainer, floor and shelving for training center in garage (until we can build one), fix brick pavers (dangerous -loose), railing around deck (bring to code), much needed generator,  build us a 80×80 fenced in garden and more!!!  SERIOUSLY!!!! The garden will help keep food cost down when the Veterans come to train with their dogs.

We also asking for the community to come out and support this project! Businesses, families, young and old. Lets show our Veterans that we care!!  June 14th, the day this dream turns into a reality. I hope to see you there!  We’ll even have projects for those who aren’t inclined to swing a hammer or do heavy lifting.  There will be all kinds of things you can do on the 14th to make the Community Day a reality-from helping us with administrative and fundraising tasks to helping make sure our workers are constantly hydrated and fed.

I remember when I started looking for Stiggy’s property, I said “Extreme MakeOver will come and help…” Well, this is even better because we have this GREAT community that we can work with. The show would do there thing and leave. Here, we have already extended our family to Jerry, Amy and Home Depot. Growing within a community. This is beyond my wildest dreams…..Thank You to ALL involved!!!

Click here to sign up so we know how many people are coming:  Volunteer Sign Up Sheet.  Come on down!