Retirement can open the door to new adventuresāand for Mary VandenBergh, it marked the beginning of a beautiful journey in giving back.
After 32 years of teaching art in the Alden School District, Mary discovered a local dog rescue and began creating concrete memorial paw prints personalized with each dogās name. āRight after I retired, I found this rescue in Alden and started making the paw prints as a fundraiser,ā she recalls.
That was 27 years ago. Today, Mary continues to pour out her love of dogsāespecially houndsāinto her volunteer work with ABC Basset Hound Rescue and White Whiskers. āIāve always had dogs. I got my first hound when I was still teaching and the SPCA held an assembly at our school. I especially love Basset Houndsātheyāre so sweet and lovable.ā
Mary reconnected with White Whiskers founder Polla Milligan at a community meeting when the sanctuary was still just adream. āI offered to help by making paw prints as a fundraiser,ā she says. āTo date, weāve raised nearly $18,000!ā
āMary is a wonderful, wonderful woman,ā says Polla. āSheās incredibly dedicated, generous with her time, a lot of funāand always someone you can count on.ā
When sheās not in her basement āfactoryā crafting paw prints, Mary enjoys exploring her hometown. āI was born and raised in Buffalo, and I love the food scene. Honestly, I think Iām eating my way through Erie County!ā
Want a paw print of your own? Mary creates 9āx9ā custom prints for just $20, with all proceeds benefiting White Whiskers. To order, call her directly at 716-836-0547.
From all of us at White Whiskers: thank you, Mary, for your creativity, compassion, and tireless support. Volunteers like you keep White Whiskers going strong!
Interested in joining our amazing volunteer team?
Email us at whitewhiskerssocial@gmail.com to learn how you can help!