Donor Spotlight: Esther Merten
In November, Esther Merten will fly to Lapland. She’ll live in a glass igloo for a few days and watch the northern lights. She also plans to see reindeer. Esther is 84 years old.
In November, Esther Merten will fly to Lapland. She’ll live in a glass igloo for a few days and watch the northern lights. She also plans to see reindeer. Esther is 84 years old.
Growing up, Judy Arnold was surrounded by animals. Homeless, abandoned, and brand new litters — they all seemed to know that Judy and her family would help.
Robert Certilman has always had a soft spot in his heart for animals–particularly dogs because of their playfulness and loyalty. Although his hectic work schedule hasn’t allowed him to have a pet of his own for quite some time, he missed having a four-legged friend at home to greet him after a long day at the office.
Last spring, Ana Molina and Andrew Gasper realized they needed a dog in their life. Ana had adopted a kitten, Harley, from North Shore Animal League America 18years earlier. When Harley died after such a wonderful, long life, they knew they wanted to rescue another animal. They asked us to be on the lookout for a dog this time, but only the right dog... and that’s how they met and fell in love with Jadie.
When he marched right up and climbed into her Chanel tote, Kristina Broderick knew that Sammy- a 14-year-old skinny black cat with a heart condition, no teeth, and thyroid problems - had just adopted her. "I'd stopped by North Shore to drop off some toys, towels, and blankets," says Kristina, 35, who lives in nearby Locust Valley, N.Y. "For the past 15 years I've been donating whatever I could whenever I could. While I was there I decided to look at the cats. After seeing a few and not feeling the 'magic,' I met Sammy, who is just so special. We have such a bond. I can't believe it was only a few months ago - on March 19, to be exact. I feel like I've had him his whole life."
When she was just four years old, Mel and Rochelle Spielman’s daughter, Bari, announced that she wanted to be a “doggie doctor.” The news did not necessarily come as a surprise to her mom and dad, who, during their 55-year marriage have always had a love for animals, sharing their home with an assortment of rabbits, birds, and, of course, dogs, including their current companion, a five-year-old German Shepherd named Hunter.
In September 2016, on the spur of the moment, David and Linda Kaltenbach decided to take a road trip. But it wasn’t just any road trip. It was a journey with a personally meaningful, lifesaving destination. The couple, who live in Oberlin, Ohio, drove more than eight hours and 500 miles to visit North Shore Animal League America.
For Tom and Tammy Mandia, supporting North Shore Animal League America represents not only their concern for companion animals but also their thoughtful approach to philanthropy. In other words, passion plus practicality equals saved lives.
Jacquelyn Zehring has always been owned by cats. “I’ve never met a cat I didn’t like — just some more than others!” says the Winchester, Va., resident. Jackie first heard about North Shore Animal League America in the mid-70s from a good friend who was supporting our no-kill mission. Jackie was searching for an organization that not only rescued animals in need, but also helped them heal and placed them in loving, permanent homes.
For Tracy Krulick and Tom Dillickrath, of Alexandria, Va., compassion for animals involves both how they live — and how they give. “Tom and I control the things we can control,” says Tracy. “We control our food, for example, by being vegans. And we make our home welcoming, safe, and fun for our rescues. But we can help only so much. By supporting North Shore Animal League America, we can help so many more animals.”