I represent Friends of Wake County Animal Center, just one of the many nonprofit organizations that Rick Gardner and Binky and Bell has helped. Rick has been by our side to help us fund-raise since our beginning 6.5 years ago. Our mission is to reduce the number of animals in our local animal shelter; animals who risk euthanasia. We approach that from 2 directions. First, we provide resources like low cost spay/neuter vouchers, free pet food and veterinary care to pet owners who are struggling financially. We work to keep pets in their homes and out of the shelter. Second, we assist animals who end up in the shelter by providing sponsorships for veterinary care that the shelter cannot afford such as heartworm treatment and veterinary costs. We also provide financial sponsorships to rescues who pull animals from the shelter.

We are an all-volunteer organization and our funding all comes from individual and local business donations. Rick has been a critical component of our fundraising. He supports us by a percentage of sales, providing items for us to sell at our auction and partnering with us at events to draw folks to our booth so they can learn more about us.

Rick has been a thought partner with us also. As an all-volunteer organization we sometimes need to seek other’s advice on ideas for fundraisers since we don’t always have the expertise. Rick has designed a shirt/sweatshirt/totes campaign for us with little more than us telling Rick we need to raise money in a different way. Rick ran with it, designing new shirts that would appeal to our audience, selecting the vendor, taking payment, promoting the fundraiser and making sure we received the proceeds.

As a retired Director for a major corporation I understand how much work goes into campaigns and project management. Rick is a man of his word. If he tells you he’s got it I can trust him to manage the project though completion.

Every time I see Rick he starts with “I’ve been thinking about ways I can help and I have an idea”. Our animal community is fortunate to have Rick as a partner. Our organization is just one of the many who count on Rick. We trust him. His efforts have saved the lives of countless animals who could possibly be euthanized at the local shelter.


Gail Von Gonten, Secretary/Treasurer, Founding Board Member
Friends of Wake County Animal Center