Working with Animal Charities

Big Thrift (Waxahachie Texas) works with the Ellis County SPCA to raise money for a truck to pull their mobile animal adoption trailer, along with daily operating costs. Donations, as well as animal adoptions are way down. Our goal is to provide them with some relief from this harsh economy.
The response has been overwhelming from the public. Donations flooded in at first, but have now tapered off. Holding a donation drive should re-boost the amount coming in for them.
Big Thrift's second charity is Reins of Life riding therapy for the handicapped. Serving this charity has been a blessing in 2 ways. First, we are giving them a steady income, and second, Big Thrift is helping get the word out on the benefits of riding therapy. Their goal is to raise money for an arena cover, as they are currently under the mercy of the weather.
When working with any charity, it's important to keep a promise to them. Big Thrift promises to provide a clean, organized, and customer friendly atmosphere with extreme importance on customer satisfaction. This helps the charities by bringing in more customers, thus raising their monthly income.
A simple thing like keeping donation jars at the front counter can, and does, increase money for them.
Lastly, hold events that benefit the charities directly. Big Thrift is having a Junk Sale coming up in May. We get loads of merchandise that is unsuitable to sell in the store. In Big Thrift's warehouse, we box the items, and save them for the event. Volunteers will run the event from the warehouse, separate from the store entrance. Pricing is done simply by donation, and all proceeds go to our charities.
By doing this, we increase people coming to our store, keep goods out of the landfill, and help our charities with some additional income.