BRICKS

Remember this picture?


That was back in April.  We took up the boards when the Spring rains were behind us.  This is the spot for the memorial brick walkway.

I have chosen the Polar Engraving company to do our bricks.  This is based on research into several brick engraver fundraising companies.  The reasons for choosing this company are these.  One, MY cost.  With input from all of you, we will ask $50 or $55 for each brick.  MY cost will be $16.50 per brick with text only (one to three lines of text, up to 20 characters and spaces per line).  This is the $50 donation brick.  Two (another reason for choosing this company) - the $55 brick includes a symbol or picture.  That brick will cost me $22.50.  Once I discovered a company that would include a picture on the brick, I knew some of you would really want that.  (If you choose to add a picture, the company recommends only 15 characters and spaces per line.)   Three, shipping is included in the price.    So we will net a donation of $33.50 on the text-only bricks and $32.50 on the with-picture bricks.  With just ten bricks, we’ll have over three hundred dollars of donation money.  Wow. Wow. Wow.

You can go to Polar Engraving yourself and look around.  The brick color I’ve chosen is Impressions #9 (beige).  It shows up the best on the ground.  You can browse through the clip art to see if you would like to add a picture or symbol.  There are pictures of cats and pictures of dogs.  There are many other pictures and symbols, too.  (I used an angel on my sample brick.)  To look at clip art: Go to the website and hold your cursor over MEMORIAL BRICKS in the blue bar at the top (to the right of HOME).  A list will pop up and you can click on SYMBOLS & CLIPART (third to the last in the list).  OR, you can go to the far right and click on the sixth choice in that column (it has a picture of a butterfly).  Scroll down to browse through your choices.  Some of the categories are Animals, Nature, Religious Symbols, and Miscellaneous.  If you want a wider selection of dogs or cats to choose from, notice the link to additional pictures at the top of that page.  Just above where the “Animals” clipart begins, there are three http’s.  The first is for more dog pictures.  The next one is for more cat pictures.  These are actually pictures of particular breeds, but you might find something that fits.  Or - you might prefer a sunburst (under Special Activities) or a heart (under Miscellaneous).

                                                                        My sample brick.

I will actually be the one to take your orders myself. 

1.  You will email me with your text (and picture if you’re choosing one).   Email address is [email protected]

Bricks with text only can have one, two, or three lines.  Each line can have up to 20 characters/spaces.   (18 or less is recommended.)

Bricks with text and picture can also have one, two, or three lines of text, but the company recommends no more than 15 characters/spaces per line.  (My sample brick has 17 in a line and a picture.  I don't think it looks crowded, but it depends on the picture.)

2.  Make your donation.   I have a donate button in the sidebar.  I have moved it to the very top. You can email and ask for my home address if you prefer to send a check.   Donation for a text-only brick is $50.  Donation for a text-and-picture brick is $55. 

I have instructions from Polar Engraving to group several individual requests together into one order, fill out their order form, send them the money, and they will send me a delivery of engraved bricks.  Once I send them their payment, everything on top of cost is money to use here for the rescue work.  When the bricks arrive here, I will show you what they look like.  As the weather gets a little cooler, we will start our walkway leading to the cathouse.  Of course, there will be pictures of that, too, as it becomes a reality.

I will collect orders throughout August and send away our first batch by sometime in the early part of September.  Polar Engraving has assured me that I can make future orders as I wish.  After this first batch in August to celebrate Winnie’s Wish, I can continue to collect orders.   If this goes over well, I will probably offer the same opportunity before Christmas for anyone who wants to do a memorial brick as a holiday gift.   I am SO excited to see who you want to memorialize.  This type of fundraiser is special because it helps me pay for the rescue work while providing a permanent memorial for a pet that is/was near and dear to one of you.  That is just neat!

The company is Polar Engraving.  If you have questions about any of this,  you can email me at [email protected]. 

Have a great weekend. 

ADDENDUM:  Andrea (Celestial Kitties) just brought up a good point in her comment.  I have been talking about the bricks project as a "memorial" fundraiser.  And though I know many of you will want a brick to "memorialize" a somebody you have lost, it is completely OK to get a brick for a living somebody.  Example:  Andrea adopted Leo from us.  He is a Winnie's Wish kitty.  She wants to do a brick from Leo, with Love.  Sounds like a great idea to me!

Comments

[Random Felines]

What a great idea....we will put our heads together and let you know!!

[Mindy Slimmer]

That brick is beautiful. I hope many are purchased so that walkway is complete!!
Much love,
Mama Mindy of The Slimmer Puggums

[Goldie Goodwin]

Wonderful! I am sure this will be a huge success.

[Pam and the Califurrrrrnia5]

How exciting is this!!! I'm going to start designing mine today!!!

[Abby]

This is such a wonderful idea!

Love and purrs
Abby Nd Mom Debra

[Andrea & the Celestial Kitties]

Wow oh wow! That's totally awesome! Oh I cannot wait to pick out one!
Just a probably silly question... When I hear "memorial" I think it's about someone who passed away. That's just the where my brain goes. But we can do a brick for someone alive right? Like if I wanted a brick from Leo with love?
I love this idea, and I am going to be thinking hard about what I'm getting!

Don't forget people, it's time to empty that cathouse! Adopt a kitty!

[daily dose]

Oops. I see what you mean, Andrea. Maybe "memorial" is not the term we should be using. Because ABSOLUTELY you can do a brick for a living someone. In fact, I think your idea of having a brick from Leo with love is awesome!!

[Andrea & the Celestial Kitties]

How about tribute? that can be for living or dead. And honestly, it's a tribute to you for how amazing you are and a tribute to Winnie's Wish and all the kitties and doggies you get into forever homes. That's my thought for the day anyway, lol.
Much love!!!

[The Poupountte]

We'll be putting in our order soon!

[ginny wells]

The Fur Family has so many gone but never forgotten that need a tribute. we are going to go to the web sight and take a look. Andy is the heart dog who died way too young of a pouch in his throat. He is still so strong in my thoughts. He will now be able to help out another furry one in need. We will get back to you very soon on this. Great Ideas start small and grow to great heights. Have a wonderful week
end Ginny & the Fur Family- Prayers for all the sick furry ones --Ginny & The

[Cat's Cats]

I'll email you soon with my order :-)

[Amy & the House of Cats]

Hi Chrystal! Oh I am so behind again (as usual) and have to read the previous posts but oh I am so excited about the bricks - they are such a wonderful idea!!! I can't wait to have time to sit down and figure out the ones we will be ordering because you know we have to do that for sure!!

[ginny wells]

CHRYSTAL CAN I JUST SEND IT TO YOU WITH A CHECK AND TELL YOU WHAT TO ORDER FOR ME? - I DON'T HAVE A PAY PAL ACCOUNT -I AM NEVER SURE WHAT TO DO TO PAY FOR SOMETHING -WARM WISHES - GINNY & THE FUR FAMILY

[Jan (Milo and Alfie's mom)]

Wonderful idea ~ I so hope this is the success it deserves to be.

[meowmeowmans]

This is really great, Chrystal! We hope this program is a huge success!