Dearest Saints, After 8 wonderful years Save-An-Angel’s Mardi Gras Bead Program is coming to a close. It’s simply become too big for us to manage without a physical location where we can collect, sort and store the beads in one place. WE ARE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL TO OUR WONDERFUL COMMUNITY PARTNERS, DONORS & THE VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE MADE THIS POSSIBLE FOR SO MANY YEARS!
Currently, we collect beads from all over town at various business & volunteers make weekly pick ups. The beads are then moved to storage at Zephyr Stadium and the others go into a paid storage on the west bank.
To host a sorting party requires volunteers to pick up the (very heavy) beads from storage and transport to a sorting location. Once sorted the beads have to be moved AGAIN back to storage where they sit until sold. One of the main reasons we kept the program alive this long (aside from the much-needed funds) is because so many people count on us for Community Service.
However, moving the beads back and forth between locations is extremely time-consuming and expensive. While the bead fundraiser is always a lifesaver (literally), it just doesn’t raise enough for us to justify the effort.
If by a miracle we find a place that can store the beads for the same price as our storage and will allow us to sort & sell from that location with full access, electricity and restrooms we will resume in 2019. For now, we are stopping collections until further notice.
WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE CONTINUE DONATING YOUR MARDI GRAS BEADS TO GREAT CAUSES AROUND TOWN! ARC of New Orleans and ARC of St. Charles Parish collect year round, so please check out their websites for more info.
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of the amazing businesses that have supported Save-An-Angel over the years, to the INCREDIBLE VOLUNTEERS that have kept the bead program alive by sorting; driving, selling and hauling the beads And to the incredible donors who give TONS of beads to save the dogs.
Special thanks to VCA Airline Animal Hospital for allowing us to take over 3 runs at a time! To New Orleans Baby Cakes for allowing us to store at your facility for almost an entire decade and to Jefferson Feed Mid-City, Petcetera, NO Fleas Market, Feet First Shoes, Handbags & Accessories, Hunter Training Systems / Rack City Gym, Buff Beauty Bar, DL Creations and every other incredible business that has helped save hundreds of dogs over the years! (I know we are missing at least 20!) We are forever grateful for your support.
Please contact me directly anytime with questions: ksullens@saveanangel.org
Most Sincerely,
Kristie Sullens
Co-founder / Executive Director
Angel’s Mama