Today's Top Ten

Top Ten Ways to show your support of VGSR’s upcoming Golf Tournament and Auction

•Regularly read the Tournament’s Blog and add your comments on the various postings.
•Add a link to the Tournament’s Blog on your Facebook Page.
•Include the Golf Tournament as an Event on your Facebook page.
•Discuss the benefits of being a Tournament Sponsor or Auction Donor with your local businesses. It’s easy to do - share your personal VGSR experience and give them copies of the Tournament documents.
•Ask your local businesses to display our Tournament brochures.
•Tell the businesses and friends who have already submitted their Sponsorships or Auction donations how much you appreciate them!
•Share our Auction Catalog (available on our blog and updated regularly) with your friends and family. This is the first time that you don’t have to be present to place a winning bid during our Silent Auction!
•Volunteer to help with the planning of or at the Tournament and Auction.
•Submit your entry form for the Tournament or Dinner and reserve your fun play day.
•Donate items for the Auction or be a Tournament Sponsor.

VA State Parks Supports VGSR!

We are delighted to share the news - the Virginia State Parks has donated a gift certificate for a 2 night cabin stay at any Virginia State Park, outside of the Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day period. The gift certificate includes pet fees for one pet for the 2 night stay, also. This is the third year that Virginia State Parks has donated to the VGSR Auction and their support is greatly appreciated. The Operations Director, Nancy, shares our passion for dogs. We're pleased to share a picture of her happy shepherd mix with our viewers.

Visit the State Parks at www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/index.shtml if you aren't familiar with this beautiful local resource. State Parks are located throughout Virginia and amenities differ from park to park. They all, however, share the natural beauty of our state.

The 35 State parks have more than 500 miles of trails and convenient access to Virginia’s major waterways. Beaches, picnic shelters, family lodges, meeting facilities, festivals, concerts, nature programs, cultural happenings… the list goes on and on. There’s something for everyone at Virginia State Parks - leave life’s daily pressures behind and reconnect with nature and your family at a nearby state park.

Auction Catalog Available

We are delighted to share our 3rd Annual VGSR Golf Tournament and Auction catalog with you. The link to the catalog can be found to the right of this post (under "Important Documents"). It is a work in process and will be updated as new items are donated. For convenience, it is separated into two sections - "Silent Auction" and "Chinese Raffle."

This is our first catalog and we would love to know what you think!

Sponsor Highlights

In mid 2008, the call went out to the extended VGSR family asking for support of our first ever Golf Tournament and Auction fundraiser. At the time, few, if any of us, envisioned how successful or how much fun the event would be – or that it would become an annual occurrence. Work on the third year tournament and auction is well underway.

We would like to take this opportunity to give a HUGE thank you to Sponsors who have supported the previous Golf Tournaments and ask for their continued support. Of the 43 Sponsors who supported both of our previous Tournaments, 6 Sponsors (4 corporate) have already sent in their 2010 Sponsorships. A huge round of applause for these Sponsors.

We’d like to highlight the following four corporate sponsors who, in addition to supporting the previous two years’ tournaments have already committed to this year’s:

• MDI Imaging & Mail, LLC (http://www.mdiimagingandmail.com) delivers effective, full-service direct mail to its clients. They are conveniently located in Dulles, Virginia and offer the latest in direct mail technology, from high speed laser printers and inserters to their fullfillment center.
• Powell's Plumbing (http://www.powells-plumbing.com) is committed to complete customer satisfaction. They provide quality services to both Residential and Commercial clients. Their services go way beyond just fixing pipes –“ If water runs through it, Powell's Plumbing can do it!”
• The Perfect Pita (http://www.theperfectpita.com/) offers a unique Mediterranean - American menu. They are known for their homemade handmade pita bread which they bake fresh, daily. Combine that with their homemade Hummus for dipping and you have the Perfect Pair. They are scattered all over NoVA – so check them out!
• Clocktower Animal Hospital (http://www.clocktowervets.com/) cares for rabbits, birds, reptiles, hamsters, ferrets and other pocket pets, in addition to dogs and cats. They use the most advanced medical equipment and computer technology to aid in providing the best possible care. Clocktower offers a complete range of medical services: preventive vaccines, surgery, digital x-rays, and extensive trauma and intensive care units.

We’d also like to extend a big welcome and thank you, to new corporate sponsors:

Titan Moving & Storage ( http://www.titanmovers.com/) is a fully licensed and insured moving company located in Alexandria, VA. They have been performing residential and commercial moves in the Washington, DC metro area since 1999 and have a long list of satisfied clients. Their goal is “ Make every customer a repeat customer.”

Willis North America, Inc. (http://www.willis.com/) is part of Willis Group Holdings plc - a leading global insurance broker. Through its subsidiaries, Willis provides professional insurance, reinsurance, risk management, financial and human resource consulting and actuarial services to corporations, public entities and institutions around the world. Our Sponsor team is led by Joe Gunn, the Regional Partner of NY Metro who supports our efforts in honor of Lucky, his adopted four-legged friend.

Stay tuned for more Sponsor highlights. Please remember to let our Sponsors and Auction Donors know how much you appreciate their support. Stop by and visit their businesses and say thank you.

Remember to get your sponsorship in soon and show you care ! Have fun and be creative with your sponsorship sign.

Excitement is brewing

As the 3rd Annual VGSR Golf Tournament and Auction approaches, excitement levels continue to rise.

While there are several reasons behind our enthusiasm, the foundation of our excitement is based on the generosity of those kind folks who are so willing to help us achieve our goals. The amount of work necessary to put together a successful and FUN event is enormous. In addition to sponsors, auction donors and players, we rely on volunteers and friends to support the behind the scenes as well as tournament day activities. It is amazing how generous the individuals and companies that we encounter are.

Dictionary.com defines “generosity” as a “readiness or liberality in giving.” These people give freely of their time, money, products and/or talent to help support this fundraiser. What do they gain? The personal satisfaction of a job well done and knowing that thanks to each individual’s effort, large or small, a dog has been helped. It is this passion and kindness that allows VGSR to successfully continue its mission.

We ask that each and every one of you, help in whatever way you can to support the upcoming golf tournament and auction. Not sure how? Please contact us at : golf4dogs@epandl.net .

There’s lots to do between now and October 1 - all support is gratefully appreciated.

Remember - deserving dogs are counting on us.

Shenandoah University Donation

Shenandoah University is providing two 2011 Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre Season Tickets for our Silent Auction at the Third Annual Virginia German Shepherd Rescue Golf Tournament and Auction, October 1, 2010, at Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club.

Having had the pleasure of attending performances, I can tell you this is definitely an item you will want to win with your bid!!

Quoting from a letter received from Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D., President of Shenandoah:

"It is a pleasure for Shenandoah University to contribute to this worthy cause."

Visit the website at http://shenandoahsummermusictheatre.com/ to get a sense of the terrific shows for the 2010 season.

Our Silent Auction is Coming

The goal of the VGSR Golf Tournament and Auction is to raise as much money as possible to care for the wonderful dogs VGSR continues to rescue, rehabilitate and re home. The previous events have been successful due to the wonderful generosity of folks who have secured sponsors, sponsored themselves, given items for the auction and/or enjoyed a great day of golf. At the end of the day, we’ve all not only had a remarkable time but have walked away feeling a huge sense of accomplishment.

Our experience has been that previous participants WANT to join us for the upcoming tournament and auction. As familiarity with VGSR and the great dogs we support grows, our players, sponsors and donors choose to become even more involved.

As an example, we are delighted to share the news of a terrific donation for the upcoming Silent Auction - a 3 day/2 night stay in a spacious Canaan Valley mountain home belonging to a wonderful family (players in last year’s tournament) who are generously offering this great vacation stay. The 5 bedroom home is a short drive to the slopes in the winter and offers lake access in the summer – providing the perfect ski vacation, weekend getaway, or reunion with family and friends.

We hope to have many more terrific items for the Auction. If you can help - by donating an item or soliciting donations from others, please let us know. We hope to see you all at the Tournament and Auction.

Remember - it’s all about the dogs.

GOOD REASONS TO PLAY GOLF!!

TEE OFF FOR RESCUE & HELP SAVE A LIFE

VGSR is in constant search for resources to pay for necessary and expensive treatments that many rescue dogs need. These are our "Special Needs" foster dogs. Sidney, shown right, is one such dog. She came into rescue 2/26/10 at 46#'s and gravely ill with only hours left to live and was immediatley taken by volunteers to the hospital. Rapid response saved her life; Sidney is on the road to full recovery - she still NEEDS YOUR HELP.

Lilly, shown left, is another one of the "Special Needs" dogs in VGSR care that needs more attention. She came into rescue abused, neglected, in pain and VERY pregnant. Her immediate needs were met and in the loving care of a volunteer foster, gave birth to 10 beautiful, healthy puppies. Lilly showed some discomfort in her hips and x-rays showed what appears to be a pellet or bullet fragment. Surgery had to wait until her pups were weaned and she was strong enough to have the procedure. Lilly is now ready to have the hip repaired and she NEEDS YOUR HELP.

The Third Annual Virginia German Shepherd Rescue Golf Tournament & Auction will provide funding to help these dogs and many others to fulfill their potential to be strong, healthy and loving dogs ready to be adopted into their "forever homes".

How can you help? Be a player, be a sponsor, donate an item to the auction, join us for dinner, take part in the auction. VGSR is an all volunteer, 501 (c)(3) corp and all proceeds go directly to the mission of rescue, rehabilitation and re homing of dogs in our care.

Please go to our website http://shepherdrescue.org/ and meet the many dogs who are benefiting from your support. Guaranteed, you will see how important YOU are to rescue!

ATTENTION: Business Owners and Managers

Are you looking for a simple straightforward way to expand your market share? Increase name recognition? VGSR can help. Please read on …


VGSR’s extended family includes a broad range of people who share atleast one thing in common - their love of animals, especially our beloved breed - the German Shepherd dog. Our volunteers, adopters, family and friends live in many nearby states – while our largest representation is in Virginia, with strong support from DC and Maryland, our family extends to West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida and other locations. We come from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds; young and old; conservatives and activists; athletic and couch potatoes; city and rural dwellers; dog, cat and other animal lovers, with varied and far-reaching interests.

We share something in common with the dogs we work so hard to save – love and loyalty - to each other, our families, our friends, our pets, our community, and to those businesses that support our Rescue.

So, please, help us as we would love to help you. Be a sponsor and/or an auction donor. Play in our terrific golf tournament. Show the VGSR family, your corporate family and the community that you care.


We will, happily, express our gratitude by acknowledging your support on our “In Gratitude” pages and ask that our VGSR family acts, in kind, by supporting your business. Everyone can benefit and we can have a wonderful time, in the process. Please help.

TEE OFF FOR RESCUE. Help save a life.

For more information, please look under “IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS” on the right of this post.

Teams Return for Third Year!!

Both teams played in 2008, 2009 and will be returning to "Tee Off for Rescue" in 2010! Mark your calendar now to join with them October 1, 2010, at Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Good golf and GREAT dogs - it doesn't get any better than this.

If you are not a golfer, we need plenty of cheerleaders to come for the game, awards dinner and auction. Here's hoping that some lucky golfer gets the $50,000 Hole in One Prize presented as a 50/50 with $25,000 for the golfer and $25,000 for VGSR. It could be you, sign up early!!