By Kevin Leibrock
PLAINFIELD — — Located just off of the White River in Martinsville, it comes as no surprise that the Our Lil’ Bit of Heaven Animal Rescue & Sanctuary was hit hard by the June flooding that devastated much of the region.
But thanks to the efforts of volunteers, the more than 100 dogs that called the sanctuary home were rescued from the flood waters when the disaster struck nearly four months ago.
Volunteers are again needed, as the shelter is currently relocating 40 miles west to Poland, to escape the river and any future flooding. In an effort to aid that move, Plainfield resident Kristina Moffett and other parents of the Plainfield Middle School seventh-grade football team are organizing a volunteer work day on Oct. 18 to help rebuild the shelter.
“I also work as a photographer and I had gone down there to take pictures of the dogs for petfinder.com,” Moffett said. “I work with some gals who volunteer there. Thank God no animals were killed when it flooded out, but now they’re asking for volunteers to work on the facility.”
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day, team members who choose to volunteer will help by digging post holes, setting wood posts, fencing, and cleaning out barns to prepare for housing the dogs. Parents are encouraged to assist, and they will do some light insulation work.
There are about 50 boys on the football team, so Moffett is hoping for a good turnout.
“Come rain or shine, we need people to help,” Moffett said. “As a volunteer for Our Lil’ Bit of Heaven, I wanted to do more, so we are asking for the entire seventh-grade football team to help rebuild.”
The event’s organizers will help provide cold sandwiches, chips, and drinks, but parents are asked to provide their child’s transportation.
There will be another opportunity to help for those who can’t make the Oct. 18 date. Moffett and the event’s organizers are planning a similar volunteer project at the shelter on Oct. 25 for area churches.
“Hopefully we can get a lot of the local churches out there,” Moffett said. “A lot of the animals still need adoption too. I think there are about 40 dogs there.”
Anyone planning to volunteer is asked to register by e-mailing to volunteerfordogs@comcast.net by Oct. 15. For more information on the volunteer project, call Cheryl Arnold at 440-0322 or Carol Swales ay 445-5070.
kevin.leibrock@flyergroup.com
